Irvine Valley's baseball team came up a run short in a hard-fought, 2-1, loss to Cypress in an Orange Empire Conference game on Thursday at home.
The win by Cypress evened the three-game series at a game apiece. The deciding contest is Saturday at Cypress at 12 p.m.
The Lasers had their chances against the Chargers, who were ranked No. 9 in the state.
Irvine Valley (17-10-1, 3-8) was out-hit by Cypress (20-8,5-6), 7-5, in the game.
But the Lasers left 13 runners on base.
IVC had five batters hit by pitch and another two batters walk, but they also hit into six double plays on the day.
Cypress took the lead for good in the top of the first inning.
Isaiah Stewart doubled to lead off the game and later came around on a groundout by Jesse Lopez.
The Chargers added a run in the top of the fifth inning to go up, 2-0. Stewart singled to center field to bring in Bobby Silvis, who reached on an IVC error earlier in the frame.
Irvine Valley scored a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to get within a run and loaded the bases with two outs, but Cypress reliever Eric Chavarria got IVC sophomore second baseman Trent Whitaker to fly out to center to end things.
Reid Sebby picked up the win and improved to 4-1 for Cypress. He went seven innings and didn't allow a run. He gave up four hits and one walk and struck out five.
Sophomore right-hander Keenan Cisneros took the tough loss for IVC. He also pitched seven innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits with three strikeouts. Cisneros' record went to 3-2.
IVC freshman first baseman Pu'ukani De Sa was 2 for 4 with one RBI for the Lasers, knocking in freshman shortstop Robert Haw in the bottom of the ninth.