COMMUNITY COLLEGE BASEBALL : Cypress, OCC Open at Desert Tournament

Orange County’s six community college baseball teams fan out today to start the season.

Cypress, which finished third in the Orange Empire Conference but went on to win the State title last season, joins Orange Coast at the College of the Desert Tournament being played in Palm Desert and Palm Springs.

Cypress, coached by Scott Pickler, who has a 203-107 record entering his eighth season, plays at Palm Desert at 1 p.m. OCC, coached by Mike Mayne, plays Chaffey at 5:30 p.m. at Angel Stadium in Palm Springs. Mayne, dean of Orange County coaches, has a 379-173 record starting his 15th season. His son Brent is a catcher for the Kansas City Royals.

The tournament continues Saturday and the championship game is at 1 p.m. Sunday at COD.

Rancho Santiago and Fullerton will also be in tournaments.

Rancho Santiago, the defending conference champion, plays host to Moorpark at 2 p.m. today in the opening round of its tournament, which continues Saturday and concludes with the championship game at 11 a.m. Sunday. Rancho Santiago Coach Don Sneddon has a mark of 314-110 as he starts his 11th season.

The first pitch of the season in Orange County will be thrown at Fullerton when the Hornets play host to El Camino at 10 a.m. today in the first round of the Fullerton/Cerritos Tournament. Fullerton Coach Nick Fuscardo (141-102) starts his seventh season.

Riverside, the only non-county member of the Orange Empire Conference, is also in the tournament. The Tigers, under third-year Coach Dennis Rogers (68-32), play College of the Canyons at 2 p.m. at Cerritos. The championship game will be at noon on Monday at Fullerton.

Golden West and Coach Bert Villarreal travel to the Fresno Tournament to play Hartnell at 10 a.m. today. Villarreal (65-49-2) is starting his fourth season. The tournament continues Saturday, and the title game is at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Saddleback and third-year Coach Jack Hodges (30-44) play host to Palomar at 2 p.m. today. The Gauchos then travel to Palomar for a noon game Saturday. Saddleback’s alumni game is at 11 a.m. Sunday.