COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Hodges’ Home Runs Move Cypress Into First Place

Cypress took over first place in the Orange Empire Conference Wednesday when designated hitter Jason Hodges hit two home runs to give the Chargers a 4-3 victory over visiting Riverside in a game rescheduled because of Tuesday’s rainout.

The Chargers (28-10, 14-5 in league) now have a half-game lead over the Tigers (27-9, 14-6) with five games remaining. The Chargers will try to maintain their lead at Fullerton College when they meet the Hornets at 2:30 p.m. today.

Cypress was aided by solid pitching from starter Josh Belovsky and reliever Andy Gonzales, who outdueled Riverside ace Jeff Barker (10-2). Barker struck out nine and walked one. Belovsky struck out seven and walked six before being replaced by Gonzales with one out in the seventh. Gonzales (2-2) struck out four and walked two to pick up the victory.

“Andy Gonzales did an outstanding job,” Charger Coach Scott Pickler said. “He came in and closed the door. Belovsky gave me all he had, which is all I can ask.”

Hodges’ second homer, leading off the bottom of the seventh, gave the Chargers a 4-3 lead after the Tigers rallied for three runs in the top of the inning to tie the score.

Cypress took a 2-0 first-inning lead on Josh Kliner’s run-scoring double down the right-field line and Gonzales’ fly to shortstop Brian Rios in short left, scoring Kliner. Hodges’ first home run, over the left-field wall, gave the Chargers a 3-0 lead in the fourth.