The Orange Empire Conference is going to be wild this season based on the first three games Irvine Valley played against Cypress this week.
IVC was in each and every game and had chances throughout, but dropped the series, 3-0, including falling in 11 innings, 9-7, to the Chargers on Saturday at home.
The two OEC squads combined for 54 runs in the three-game set.
Cypress, tied for the No. 1 ranking in Southern California, improved its record to 15-3 overall and 3-0 in conference. IVC went to 9-11 overall and 0-3 in conference.
Irvine Valley put up two runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Freshman designated hitter Blake Beckley knocked in a run with a groundout and then sophomore catcher Connor Tallakson brought in a run with a force out to give IVC a 2-0 lead.
Cypress scored the next four runs, plating one run in the top of the third and then adding one run in the top of the seventh and two in the top of the eighth.
Aaron Perez hit a two-run home run in the eighth to give the Chargers a 4-2 lead.
But Irvine Valley didn't go down easy.
The Lasers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and send it to extra innings.
Sophomore left fielder Darren Porter doubled to right field to score freshman shortstop Nick Madole. And then sophomore catcher Connor Tallakson hit an RBI single to center field to tie the game.
Cypress scored two runs in the top of the 10th inning and Irvine Valley answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame with an RBI walk by sophomore second baseman Nolan Cusey and a run scoring on a passed ball. The second run tied the score at 6.
Cypress took the lead for good in the top of the 11th. Dean Tiogo hit a two-run home run to seal things for the Chargers.
For Cypress, Toigo went 5 for 6 at the plate with tw two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored.
Irvine Valley was led by Madole, who went 2 for 4 with three runs scored and Cusey and Tallakson, who had two RBI each.
Sophomore right-hander Sammy Murphy took the loss for the Lasers in relief. He gave up two runs on three hits and one walk in one inning.
IVC plays again on Monday at Fullerton at 2 p.m. The game has been moved up to try and miss Tuesday's rain.
