League-leading Cypress powers way to road victory against La Habra

Cypress players after Friday’s game against La Habra. (PHOTOS: Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone).

Cypress High School’s softball team used the long ball on Friday afternoon to defeat La Habra 8-5 in a Crestview League Friday at La Habra. 

Callie Kissell, Tia Hernandez, and Hayden Warner belted home runs for the Centurions (13-5, 4-1), who beat the Highlanders for the second day in a row and extended their winning streak to three games. Cypress has won five of its last six contests. 

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Kissell, Hernandez, and Warner continued to terrorize their opponents this season with a combined 18 round trippers this season. 

“It was a good week for us; we won three games,” said Centurions Coach Terry Thompson, whose team outscored its opponents 22-6 and remained in first place in league. “Our team has continued to work hard and they are humble. At times, we have a tendency to think long ball too much but lately they have been staying within themselves and that is comforting.”

The Centurions got six strong innings of pitching by Kylie Santander. She gave up only two runs over the first six innings and was relieved by Chach Stamper in the seventh inning who closed the game out. 

“I wasn’t tired and I didn’t want to come out of the game but it’s okay,” said Santander. “My drop curve was working for me and I have total trust in my defense. We need to keep being loud and bringing the energy.”

Thompson said Santander was effective.

“Kylie’s a senior and she threw a gem today; she was fantastic,” said Thompson.

After Cameron Gill led off with a single in the first inning, Kissell drilled a two-run homer to right center, giving Cypress an early 2-0 lead.

“I was nervous and I hit an inside screwball for the homer,” said Kissell, a freshman third baseman. 

Eliana Corona singled home Makenna Caffrey to cut the lead to 2-1 in the first inning. In the fifth inning, Hayden Warner drove a three-run homer high over the left center field fence to up the Centurions lead to 5-1. 

“I tried to be calm the I came to bat,” said Warner, who hit her fifth home run of the season and also had three RBI and scored a run. “I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately so I just wanted to wait for my pitch.”

Mireya Gonzalez’s RBI double in the fifth inning trimmed the Cypress’ lead to 5-2. Gonzalez had a big game for La Habra (13-5, 2-3). The junior third baseman had three hits, including two doubles, scored a run and had an RBI. She was on base four times. 

Tia Hernandez added a two-run shot to right center and Cypress added three runs in the sixth inning to up its lead to 8-2. 

“Our team has such great chemistry and we all get along so well and that has helped us to be successful,” said Hernandez, who had two hits, scored two runs and was on base four times. 

La Habra did not go quietly. 

Alyssa Hernandez led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a monster home run shot over the left center field, her eighth home run of the season. Sadie Wise and Georgia Rickenbacker added RBI hits in the inning but Stamper was able to retire Angelina Renteria to end the game and secure the win for Cypress. 

Despite the loss, Highlanders coach Vince Peralta said his team showed character.

“We showed heart, determination and the will to come back and finish the game,” said Peralta. “These girls fight until the very end. They know the game isn’t over until the umpire says so. Now, we have to get ready for our next league opponents, El Modena and Pacifica. We have some unfinished business with El Modena; they beat us last time.” 

Notes:

—-La Habra, which is ranked No. 4 in Division III by MaxPreps, has seven seniors who have committed to playing softball in college next season: Evelyn Dickerson/Pace University, Alyssa Hernandez/Siena University, Madison Payne/Holy Cross, Samantha Cervantes/University of Jamestown, Georgia Rickenbacker/Dartmouth, Mary Salas/Colorado State University Pueblo, and Milee Valencia/University of Redlands. 

—Cypress’ center fielder Sadie Sievers has committed to play softball at Azusa Pacific next season. 

—The Highlanders lost back-to-back games for the first time this season and dropped its first home game of the year.

—-Cypress’ ace Chach Stamperis 12-2 this season. 

—-The Centurions are ranked No. 5 in Division II by MaxPreps.