Baseball team ends up a run short in OEC game against Cypress

Baseball team ends up a run short in OEC game against Cypress

Irvine Valley's baseball team battled, but came up a run short in a 3-2 Orange Empire Conference loss to Cypress on Thursday at home.

Cypress earned the season series with the victory over IVC. Cypress has taken the first two games against the Lasers.

The two teams play again on Friday at Cypress at 2 p.m.

Irvine Valley, which was ranked 13th in the South Region in the latest CCCBCA poll, saw its record slip to 14-11 overall and 6-6 in conference, while third-ranked Cypress improved to 18-6 overall and 8-4 in conference.

Cypress led, 3-0, through the top of the sixth inning.

The Chargers scored single runs in the top of the first, fourth and sixth innings.

Jack Flansburg had an RBI single in the first inning, Tyler Gnesda drove in a run with a groundout in the fourth and Austin Case had a run-scoring double in the sixth for the Chargers.

The Lasers made things interesting with two runs with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Sophomore third baseman Adam Vargas singled with two outs and then freshman left fielder Clint Jack drove Vargas in with a double down the left field line.

Freshman shortstop Jordan Gillerman then singled through the left side and Jack raced home, slid and beat the tag to make it a 3-2 game.

Freshman shortstop Cory Mendoza reached on an error to put runners on first and third, but Cypress pitcher Nathan Kuchta was able to field freshman right fielder Trey Ryan's bunt attempt and throw him out at first base to end the threat.

Irvine Valley starting pitcher Justin Zielinski kept it a 3-2 contest by working out of a bases loaded jam in the top of the eighth inning.

A walk to Case with one out loaded the bases, but Zielinski got Brandon Brintz to foul out and then Gnesda to fly out to escape the inning.

IVC was retired in order in the bottom of the eighth.

Vargas walked with one out in the bottom of the ninth for the Lasers, but a double play ended the game.

Zielinski took his first loss of the season for IVC. He pitched all nine innings, which was his fifth complete game of the year. Zielinski gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

His record fell to 6-1 on the season.

Kuchta improved to 6-1 after pitching a complete game. He gave up two runs on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts.

Justin Donovan was 2 for 4, Jackson Willeford went 2 for 4 with two runs scored and Case was 1 for 3 with an RBI for Cypress.

IVC was led at the plate by Ryan, who went 2 for 4, Vargas, who was 1 for 2 with two walks and a run scored and Gillerman, who went 1 for 3 with one RBI.