Orange Coast College

Baseball: Pirates sweep past Long Beach City to advance to Super Regional

Saturday, May 10, 2008

COSTA MESA – Sparked by a seven-run third inning, the Orange Coast College baseball team punched its ticket into next week’s Super Regional Playoffs with a 9-7 win over Long Beach City in the first round of the Southern California Regionals on Saturday at OCC’s Wendell Pickens Field.

The Pirates (32-13-1) sent 11 men to the plate and delivered eight hits in the frame, including a two-run single by Ryan Sheeks, a two-run home run by Jourdan Watanabe and a three-run home run by Cory Olson.

OCC’s lead was as big as 9-3 before the Vikings (26-20) started their comeback run. LBCC pounded out 14 hits and with the help of four OCC errors and six walks, there were several baserunners clogging up the basepaths. However, the ever-important “big hit” by the Vikings offense was never produced and they left 16 runners on base.

In the ninth, Long Beach City had the winning run at the plate, but closer Brett Wallach coaxed a game-ending double grounder off the bat of Serrato to end the game, giving the freshman righty his 10th save of the season.

Viking ace Randy Serrato was tagged for 11 hits and eight runs (all earned) over 2 2/3 innings and took the loss, dropping his record to 9-2. OCC reliever Beau Graham picked up the win and improved to 2-1.
Olson finished the day with three hits, two runs and three RBI, while Watanabe went 2-for-5 with a run scored and three RBI for the Pirates.

Michael Schultz went 3-for-5 with two runs scored to lead the Vikings.

With the win OCC will advance to the Southern California Super Regionals, which will be held at Cuesta College, beginning on Friday. Times and opponents have not yet been announced.