BY TED APODACA: Pacifica High had a chance to hand Cypress its first league loss of the season, but came up short, 2-1, last week at Pacifica High.
Two days later the Mariners fell behind 4-0 in the first inning, again falling short by a final score of 6-3.
The week ended with Cypress and Kennedy both atop the Empire League standings at 6-0. Pacifica fell to 2-4, but with a potential showdown with Tustin (4-2) for third place in the final week of the season.
BY TED APODACA: Pacifica High had a chance to hand Cypress its first league loss of the season, but came up short, 2-1, last week at Pacifica High.
Two days later the Mariners fell behind 4-0 in the first inning, again falling short by a final score of 6-3.
The week ended with Cypress and Kennedy both atop the Empire League standings at 6-0. Pacifica fell to 2-4, but with a potential showdown with Tustin (4-2) for third place in the final week of the season.
Against Cypress, the Mariners had a chance with a solid performance from starting pitcher Troy Bethel, who went seven innings with just five hits allowed and two earned runs. A solo home run and two-out double would prove to be enough to give the Centurions the lead.
But the Mariners had a chance to put pressure on the Centurions in the bottom of the fourth inning. Trailing 1-0, the Mariners loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth with no outs.
Matt Moslenko was hit by a pitch and junior catcher Dominic Zerillo reached on an error at third base. When senior outfielder Tommy Mercurio laid down a sacrifice bunt attempt, the Centurions could not cleanly handle the play and Mercurio reached to load the bases.
But the Cypress pitcher induced a ground ball on the next play for a double play. The run scored to tie the game, but Cypress would end the threat with another ground out.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Mariners would have two runners on with one out, but another double-play grounder would again thwart the threat and leave the Mariners trailing 2-1.
On Thursday, the Mariners would fall behind 4-0 after the first inning before eventually falling 6-3 to Cypress, at Cypress High. Derek Jackson was 2 for 3 with two RBI for the Mariners.
Pacifica was at Western on Tuesday and will host the Pioneers on Thursday at 3:15 p.m. The Mariners will be at Tustin on Tuesday and will host the Tillers on May 12 to end the regular season. Both games will be at 3:15 p.m.
