OCC, Rancho Santiago to Meet in Showdown

Orange Coast College has a chance to clinch a tie for the Orange Empire Conference baseball championship today and Rancho Santiago could move into a first-place tie when the teams meet for the fourth time this season at 2:30 p.m. at Rancho Santiago.

OCC (14-3, 29-9) has a one-game lead over Rancho Santiago (13-4, 26-8). If the Pirates win, they would need to beat either Citrus or Riverside to clinch the title and a berth in the state regional playoffs May 16-17 at the conference winner’s home field.

Rancho Santiago plays Saddleback and Citrus in its final two games. Only the conference winner qualifies for the playoffs.

If the teams finish in a tie, there would be a one-game playoff for the title Monday or Tuesday. Rancho Santiago won the first meeting, 16-7, and OCC won the next two, 16-4 and 14-12.