COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Wilkes Sparks Saddleback

Ted Wilkes’ eighth-inning grand slam helped Saddleback to a 6-3 victory over Cypress in an Orange Empire Conference baseball game Thursday at Saddleback.

Wilkes’ home run, his third of the season, came with one out against reliever Mike DesRoches, breaking a 2-2 tie. The victory moves Saddleback (28-10, 13-8) into sole possession of second place. Rancho Santiago (15-6) holds a two-game lead with three left.

Steve Lee got his third save by striking out Greg Tippin with two on. Dennis Crine (5-2) allowed 10 hits and three runs to get the victory.

Neil Garcia and Michael Pang had back-to-back doubles for one run and one out later Justin Drizos added another RBI double as Saddleback took a 2-0 lead in the third. The double by Garcia was his 24th, tying him for the top spot on the college’s all-time list.

Cypress (26-13, 12-9) tied it with on a two-run home run by Keith McDonald in the eighth.