OCC Eliminated by Laney College

Orange Coast became the first team eliminated from the State tournament when the Pirates lost to Laney College of Oakland, 6-4, Sunday morning at American River College.

OCC opened a 4-1 lead with the help of a three-run home run by Paul McDaniels in the second inning. The home run, his fifth, came after Jason Parsons walked and Darren Brink singled.

But Pirate starter Phil Jensen and reliever Randy Karlier couldn’t hold the advantage. Laney rallied to score two runs in the sixth and one each in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

The game-winner scored in the eighth on a groundout by Darold Brown. Jason Harvey and Gabe Williams doubled an out apart for Laney’s final run in the ninth.

Jensen took the loss for Orange Coast, which finished 30-22 under first-year Coach John Altobelli. The Pirates finished tied for second in the Orange Empire Conference.

OCC lost in the quarterfinal round to Sacramento, 11-2, Saturday. Rancho Santiago beat Laney, 6-3, Saturday.