CYPRESS – The midseason inconsistencies for Cypress’ baseball team appear to be over.
A six-game winning streak will quickly ease any doubts. That is what the Centurions have accomplished after defeating Tustin, 8-2, Friday at Cypress High.
The Centurions (14-8, 4-0) powered their way to the win against the Tillers (13-11-1, 2-2). Dominic Fletcher hammered a pair of home runs. Garret Brockel went back-to-back with Fletcher in the third inning.
“I think that’s the second time this year we’ve gone back-to-back,” said Fletcher, who deposited a pair of changeups over the right-center field fence. “That’s pretty crazy because I don’t remember anyone before us going back-to-back.”
Cypress starting pitcher James Acuna was wild, but effective in his six innings. The Oregon commit walked six and hit a pair of batters, but he stranded six to limit the damage. He struck out five.
Command has been an issue for Acuna for most of the season, but Centurions coach John Weber says the competitiveness of his ace is unmatched.
“His whole body of work has been awesome,” Weber said of the junior starter. “He has really, really struggled.”
“Because he’s so competitive, and he’s so good, he finds a way to fight through it,” he added. “He has to throw more strikes, but he’s our horse. We feel like every time he’s on the mound, we have a great chance to win.”
Cypress is alone atop the Empire League standings. The Centurions’ next league test will come against Valencia on Wednesday.
The Centurions are gaining confidence thanks to their recent success. Fletcher hopes that a strong second half will lead to a deep postseason run.
“Our record is starting to show how good we really are,” he said. “We’re getting hot towards the end of league. We’re going to try to get hot and make a run in CIF.”
Tustin had been riding a hot streak of its own coming into this week’s two-game set against Cypress. The Tillers had won four of five, including a sweep of Western, to open league play. Tustin managed just two runs in its two games against the Centurions.
Anthony Walters had two hits and knocked in a run for the Tillers. Cole Hoskins delivered the other hit, and Dailin Lee reached base twice.
Tustin will look to rebound next week against Pacifica.
