Cypress rallies for 2-1 victory over South Torrance and captures fourth CIF title

Cypress High’s softball team celebrates after winning the CIF title (Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Cypress High’s softball team, cheered on by hundreds of Centurions fan, defeated South Torrance 2-1 Saturday afternoon at Deanna Manning Stadium to capture the school’s fourth CIF title.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo

Cypress players celebrate after winning the CIF Division 2 title.

Cypress pitcher Maddy Wilson went the distance allowing just four hits.

Cypress fans cheer on the Centurions Saturday at Deanna Manning Stadium.

Cypress pitcher Maddy Wilson got the win against South Torrance.

Cypress players hold the CIF championship plaque after winning Saturday.

Members of the Cypress baseball team (and another fan) were among those who showed up to cheer the softball team before the players left for Dodger Stadium.

The Centurions (24-8-1) got a strong pitching effort from Madelyn Wilson, who went the distance, allowing just four hits and striking out two in the CIF Division 2 title game. She improved her record to 16-4.

“It’s the first one we’ve been able to get since 1992,” said Cypress Coach Kevin Dull. “This was a complete effort by the girls and my coaching staff. It was a family and team effort.’

“Maddy Wilson is a beast, for her to get down 1-0 and come back and win 2-1, she did the same thing at El Modena. She is just a Warrior. She has the biggest heart in the world and there is no quit in her; she just wants to win so bad.”

Wilson was quite emotional after the game but very proud.

“Our being family and how we work together is how we got here,” Wilson said. “We practice every day, almost until 5 or 5:30 so we’ve just really worked out butts off this year. This is what we wanted and we got it.”

Her teammates supported her with an outstanding effort and a flawless defensive effort.

“It’s nice to have a defense that I can count on,” Wilson said.

Cypress also got a strong effort from leadoff hitter Isabella Pardo was 2 for 3 with a run scored. Jordan Thompson drove her in with a triple in the third inning to tie the score.

Cypress pushed across the eventual game winner in the fourth inning Samantha Jo-Mata singled and pinch-runner Natalie Rodriguez came around to score on an errant throw following a sacrifice.

It capped quite a run for Cypress, which came into the game un-seeded in the playoffs.

“The girls have been playing their whole lives but they really decided we’re going to bear down and make a run,” Dull said. “When the seedings came out we saw Cerritos on there and we knew they were going to be good. The girls came out and played well and from there, everybody we played were lights out teams.

“There is just so much talent in Southern California, it’s unbelievable. I’m thankful to God for this opportunity. Cypress is such a great place.”

Sophia Fernandez also pitched well for South Torrance (24-7). She allowed five hits and struck out five.