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Cats to battle rival for regional title

Cats to battle rival for regional title

The Saddleback softball team will battle Cypress College this week in a best-of-three series for a spot in the 3C2A State Tournament next week in Northern California.  The Bobcats and Chargers open the series on Friday at 2:00 PM in Cypress.

Saddleback and Cypress have a long history.  The two programs have been battling in Orange Empire Conference play since the late 80's.  This weekend the battle has a bit more meaning, as the winner will advance to the state tournament. 

Saddleback and Cypress have met three times this season, with Cypress winning twice.  The Bobcats opened up the season series with a 1-0 victory.  Cypress answered with an 8-0 mercy win in game two of the series before the third game was interrupted by rain and finished a month later with Cypress managing to eke out a 4-1 win in 10 innings. 

Saddleback enters at 25-14 overall and finished in fifth place in Orange Empire Conference (OEC) play.  Cypress currently stands at 33-9 overall and finished in second place in OEC play.

Saddleback opened the playoffs as the No. 8 seed and defeated Antelope Valley College in two straight games (1-0, 3-1) to advance to the regional finals.  Cypress entered as the No. 2 seed and defeated Ventura College in two straight games (9-1, 3-0). 

On paper the two teams are somewhat similar.  Cypress ranks No. 39 in the state in batting average (.293) while Saddleback is 34th (.298).  Cypress comes in at No. 18 in the state in Team ERA (2.70) while Saddleback is 21st (2.75). 

Game two of the series is scheduled for 12:00 PM on Saturday with a game three to follow, if necessary.