OCC can’t clinch second

IRVINE — Trailing by seven runs, through five innings, during which they had committed four errors, hit into two double plays, and generally looked like a second-division baseball team, rather than one fighting to clinch second place, Orange Coast College players huddled in front of their dugout Thursday for a brief and spirited pep talk.

The result, though immediate and positive, wasn’t enough to salvage an 11-8 Orange Empire Conference loss to host Irvine Valley.

But Pirates Coach John Altobelli hopes there is enough inspiration to carry over into today’s rematch with the Lasers, at 2 p.m. at OCC. Today’s winner claims second place and what figures to be a home playoff date, should that team advance past the first postseason challenge.

The loss dropped OCC to 29-13,1, 13-7 in conference, while upping the Lasers’ record to 29-14, 13-7. Santa Ana has locked up the conference title.

The two teams have split their two meetings this season.

“The way we finished up the game, the guys are hungry to get after it tomorrow and take it to ’em,” Altobelli said. “We’ll just have to see what happens.”

OCC finished with five errors, walked four and hit three more batters, helping IVC prevail, despite being outhit, 14-9.

“[The Lasers] got the clutch hits when they needed them,” said Altobelli, who saw a trio of Lasers combine for seven runs batted in.

IVC sophomore catcher Alex Agortsas drove in three, including two on a single in the fifth that followed a two-run double by freshman first baseman Connor Rhoads. The four-run fifth gave the hosts their 7-0 cushion.

Sophomore Brian Ferrante singled in two runs in the eighth, when IVC scored four more after OCC had trimmed the deficit to 7-6.

OCC freshman third baseman Drew Hillman followed the aforementioned pep talk with a booming leadoff homer in the sixth. Freshman catcher Jourdan Watanabe followed with a single and advanced on a wild pitch. After a groundout moved Watanabe to third, freshman first baseman Brett Wallach hit an RBI single and freshman shortstop Ryan Dunn blooped another single into center field.

Freshman right fielder Ryan Sheeks then doubled into the right-field corner for another RBI and sophomore left fielder Chris Fung capped the rally with a run-scoring groundout.

After freshman Ryan Wynveen, who relieved starter Ryan Rosenhahn to start the sixth, worked a scoreless inning, Watanabe followed a leadoff double by Wes Kartch, a walk by Hillman and a wild pitch, by lashing a two-run single to left to make it 7-6.

After IVC went down in order in the seventh against Wynveen, the Lasers parlayed three hits, two walks, a hit batter and the Pirates’ fifth error into four more runs to take away some suspense.

OCC rallied for two in the ninth, including an RBI double by Wallach. But sophomore closer Dean Persinger got the last out to record his 14th save with a two-inning effort.

Watanabe, who played at nearby Northwood High, went three for five with two RBIs, as did Wallach, who surrendered three runs, two earned, on three hits in 1 2/3 innings of relief to see his earned-run average go from 1.80 to 2.45.

Hillman and Kartch also had two RBIs apiece. Hillman’s two RBIs give him 40 for the season, moving him two ahead of Cory Olson for the team lead.

Altobelli said he did not know who would get the start on the mound for the Pirates in today’s crucial contest.

“We’re going to discuss it and see what happens,” Altobelli said.

Orange Empire Conference

Irvine Valley 11, Orange Coast 8

SCORE BY INNINGS

Rosenhahn, Wynveen (6), Wallach (8), Peterson (8) and Watanabe; Reyes, Purpura (6), Persinger (8) and Agortsas. W – Reyes, 7-2. L – Rosenhahn, 0-1. Sv – Persinger (14). 2B – Kartch (OCC), Wallach (OCC), Sheeks (OCC), Rhoads (IVC), Agortsas (IVC) 2. HR – Hillman (OCC).

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at [email protected].