COMMUNITY COLLEGE BASEBALL : Cypress Opens Playoffs Against East Los Angeles

Cypress has the home-field advantage and Rancho Santiago and Saddleback are on the road in the Southern California playoffs, which start today.

Cypress, the Orange Empire Conference champion, plays host to East Los Angeles (22-18) in the best-of-three series that ends Sunday.

The Chargers (34-10) are led by starting pitchers Aaron France (10-3), Matt Hendren (9-2) and Josh Belvosky (7-1). Andy Gonzales, the most valuable player in the the conference, was 2-2 with four saves in relief.

Cypress hit .325, led by third-baseman Israel Gonzalez, who batted .374 with a conference-high 64 hits. Jason Hodges, the designated hitter, hit .365 with 15 doubles, 11 home runs and drove in 43 runs. Gonzales, who also plays second base, drove in 42 runs and Gonzalez drove in 41.

Rancho Santiago (32-11) visits Sylmar Los Angeles Mission (26-15). The Dons led the conference in hitting at .342. Toby Sanchez (.388, 15 home runs), Joe Fraser (.387), Jason Minici (.380, seven home runs, 44 runs), Matt Kastelic (.360, 42 runs) and Darren Troilo (.358, 31 RBIs) were among the conference top ten.

Saddleback (23-14) finished fourth and travels to San Luis Obispo to play Cuesta. Wade Jackson (.394, 38 RBIs) won the conference batting title. The Gauchos’ ace is Dennis Crine, who was 9-4 with 92 strikeouts in 108 innings. Jeff Biron (5-2) appeared in 20 games.