Irvine Valley's baseball team got close throughout Tuesday afternoon's Orange Empire Conference game, but couldn't catch Cypress in a 5-3 loss at home.
Cypress never trailed in the game where both team's had 10 hits and the two squads combined for seven errors.
Irvine Valley's record slipped to 6-17 overall and 2-9 in conference, while Cypress improved to 14-10 overall and 5-6 in conference.
Cypress took the lead in the top of the first inning on a RBI single up the middle by Kramer Ferrell.
The Chargers added to their lead in the top of the third with an RBI single by Joe Duffin and then scored another run on an IVC error to go ahead, 3-0.
IVC cut into Cypress' lead in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore first baseman Brady Zinsser's single up the middle brought in sophomore designated hitter Jesus Meza.
And then the Lasers scored a run in the inning on a Cypress error to make it a 3-2 game.
But that was as close as the Lasers would get in the contest.
Cypress added two runs in the top of the fifth on an IVC error and a sacrifice fly by Brandon Oliver to take a 5-2 lead.
IVC scored its final run in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single by freshman center fielder Brett Hamilton.
Sophomore shortstop Dallas Porter, Hamilton and freshman catcher Ben DePerry each had two hits in the game for IVC.
Brandon Morones went 3 for 4 and Ferrell was 2 for 4 with an RBI for Cypress.
Ryan Hartman picked up the win on the mound for Cypress. He went six innings and gave up three runs (one earned) on six hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Dalton Douty pitched three scoreless innings to close out the game. He allowed four hits and had one strikeout.
Freshman left-hander Brett DaRe' took the loss. He went 8 2/3 innings and gave up five runs (two earned) on 10 hits and three walks.
Sophomore Harrison Collacott threw the final 1/3 of an inning for IVC.
Irvine Valley plays again on Thursday at Orange Coast at 2 p.m.
