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Cypress advances by rolling over Fontana, 17-5
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The Centurions' dominating effort earns them a return trip to Paso Robles.
CYPRESS The last time Cypress took the five-hour bus ride to Paso Robles, the Centurions scored five runs in the top of the first inning. It wasn't enough.
Playing Tuesday at home, for the chance to travel to Paso Robles for the second time in three years, Cypress did not relax after scoring three runs in the first inning.
Six runs in the second proved more soothing. And five in the fourth gave the reserves a chance to play postseason ball.
Everyone in Cypress' starting lineup either drove in or scored at least one run, as the Empire League's No. 3 seed defeated Fontana, 17-5, in a CIF-Southern Section Division II wild-card game. The Centurions advance to Friday's first-round game at Paso Robles.
“The trip wasn't fun. It was a long ride home,” Justin Hiller, Tuesday's winning pitcher, said of the 2006 loss at Paso Robles. “I don't want to make that same trip back.”
Injuries slowed the Centurions' season, and their run of five-consecutive league titles ended behind Katella and Valencia.
“There's a lot of motivation on that,” said senior shortstop and leadoff batter Danny Pulfer, who went 4 for 4 and drove in three runs. “We're kind of disgusted with ourselves. We're trying to prove something.”
Tuesday's game could serve as the prototype of how to play, if they take another early lead. The game lasted 2 1/2 hours, which means the Centurions could watch it twice on their route north Friday.
Contact the writer: jkay@ocregister.com
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