COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Redington’s Hit Caps OCC Rally in Ninth, Beats Rancho Santiago

Dan Redington’s bases-loaded single in the ninth inning gave Orange Coast a 6-5 victory over Rancho Santiago in an Orange Empire Conference baseball game Thursday in Costa Mesa.

It was the first conference loss for first-place Rancho Santiago (20-4, 8-1 in conference). Orange Coast (14-10-1, 3-7) is in last place.

Rancho Santiago had a 5-0 lead after scoring two in the sixth, but OCC scored two runs in the sixth, two in the eighth and two more in the ninth.

Steve Hernandez started the ninth with a walk for OCC. Daniel Hernandez, Steve’s brother, also walked and pitcher Jesse Rosas was replaced by David Goldstein, who hit Joe Pence to load the bases.

Goldstein struck out Greg Fife on a full count, but OCC tied it, 5-5, on a passed ball off the glove of catcher Robin Lindsey. Mike Monday was walked intentionally, bringing Redington to the plate.

Goldstein got two strikes but missed up and in on the next pitch. Redington lined the ball into center for the game-winner.

“It’s nice to finally come back and win one,” OCC Coach Mike Mayne said.

Rosas (4-2) took the loss for Rancho Santiago, and George Kinard (2-3) didn’t allow a run in four innings of relief to get the victory.

Raul Rodarte had two hits, including a home run for Rancho Santiago, but was ejected in the seventh for arguing a called third strike.

In other Orange Empire Conference baseball:

Fullerton 6, Cypress 5--The Hornets had a 6-1 lead entering the bottom of the ninth and hung on at Fullerton. Tom Wilson got Eric Nygard to fly out to center with runners at first and third for the final out. Chris Johnson hit a two-run home run and Frank Sarver and Ramon Apodaca each had three hits for Fullerton (17-11, 4-6). Tom Puppe had two hits and two RBIs for Cypress (15-9, 5-6).

Riverside 7, Golden West 2--Matt McElreath had a three-run double and scored on a squeeze play to spark a four-run second inning for visiting Riverside (20-7, 6-4). Gary Adcock (5-2) went the distance for Riverside. Jason White had three hits and an RBI for Golden West (10-11, 5-4).

In Orange Empire Conference softball:

Orange Coast 1, Saddleback 0--Alisha Nelson (12-6) had 11 strikeouts and pitched a one-hitter for host Orange Coast (17-10, 4-2).

In Orange Empire Conference men’s tennis:

Saddleback 7, Golden West 2--Saddleback (8-0, 7-0) moved into first place in conference with the victory. Esteban Saba defeated Trent Burns, 6-1, 6-0, and Saba teamed with Scott Hanson in doubles to beat Steve Arnott and Jim Johnson, 6-2, 6-2, for Saddleback.