Jacobs Helps Cypress Beat Hancock

Greg Jacobs is the first to admit he has a backward approach to hitting, but none of his Cypress teammates are about to complain.

Jacobs hit two home runs Friday as host Cypress beat Hancock, 15-4, in the Southern California baseball playoffs.

Jacobs’ first home run came after Craig Kuzmic’s 14th homer of the season, which tied the Cypress single-season record. It was his fourth home run in the last three games.

Jacobs then capped a six-run seventh with a three-run homer well over the right field fence. It was his 11th home run of the season.

“In the last at-bat I was sitting on a curveball,” Jacobs said. “Most people sit on the fastball and adjust for off-speed but when I do the opposite way it forces me to have quick hands.”

Jacobs also contributed to Cypress’ four-run first but in a much different way.

After Scott Daeley and Kuzmic singled, Jacobs’ sacrifice bunt moved both runners along. Brian Flanagan then doubled to the fence in right-center.

It was the first of Cypress’ eight doubles. Flanagan and Jason Hoffman (three RBIs) each had two doubles. Daeley, Randy Case, Junior Rodriguez and Matt Roman also doubled.

The victory leaves Cypress one victory away from advancing to the second round. Hancock (29-16) is at Cypress at 11 a.m. today and must win twice to advance.

Darin Reintjes (4-0) gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings for Cypress to get the victory and Robert Anderson (10-2) gave up 11 hits and nine runs in 5 2/3 innings to take the loss.

In other playoff games:

Rancho Santiago 16, San Bernardino Valley 3--Erik Sobek doubled, singled and drove in three runs and Joe Secoda had three hits and scored four runs for host Rancho Santiago (39-5-1), which is the two-time defending state champion and the top-seeded team in Southern California.

Jeff Bowman pitched a seven-hitter to improve to 7-0. Matt Ward (10-1) is the likely starter when the Dons host San Bernardino Valley at 11 a.m. today.

Saddleback 5, Southwestern 2--Pat Versluis and Ryan Poe combined for a four-hitter and Kirk Bolling cleared the new 40-foot-high outfield fence as the Gauchos (34-8) won their playoff opener. Versluis did not give up a hit until the fifth and struck out six in his stint. Ryan Poe (7-5) got out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth and picked up the victory as Saddleback scored twice in the sixth and three more in the seventh.

Johnny Nguyen had three hits for the Gauchos and Corrie Willkie tied a school record with his 19th double of the season, but Bolling had the most impressive blow. His two-run homer in the seventh cleared the 420-foot mark in center field.

Saddleback will host the Apaches (26-17) at 11 a.m. today and needs one victory to advance.

In the state women’s tennis tournament at Fresno Copper River Tennis Club:

Erickson-Gilliam advance--Although Orange Coast’s Cami Erickson lost in the singles quarterfinals, she teamed with Whitney Gilliam to advance to today’s doubles semifinals.

Erickson and Gilliam won their quarterfinal match, 6-0, 4-6, 6-1. The finals also are scheduled today.