France Helps Cypress Advance to Second Round

Cypress’ Aaron France overcame a difficult start, thanks to an odd double play, and the Chargers went on to beat East Los Angeles, 9-1, in a Southern California playoff game Sunday at Cypress.

The Chargers (36-10) advance to the second round and play host to a four-team regional that starts Friday. Cypress plays Chaffey and Cuesta takes on Southwestern. Game times will be announced today.

Cypress, the designated visitor, scored twice in the first, but East Los Angeles loaded the bases on a hit, a walk and an error with one out.

France got the second out on a strikeout, but the curve got past catcher David Trentine who quickly picked up the ball and threw it to France who tagged Ramon Ruiz for the third out.

France, a sophomore right-hander, gave up five singles, walked two and struck out seven over eight innings. He is 11-3.

“I had a hard time getting loose,” France said. “It just took me a couple of innings before I felt comfortable.”

France’s level of comfort was increased greatly when his teammates scored three runs in the third and three in the seventh.

The runs in the seventh came on a home run by Jason Hodges, the sophomore designated hitter. It was Hodges’ 13th homer this season, which ties him with Scott Blank (1979) for Cypress’ single-season record.

Andy Gonzales hit his seventh home run and Ken Granger hit his third for Cypress. Gonzales and Hodges hit home runs in Cypress’ 14-4 victory Saturday over East Los Angeles.