Cypress Coach Doesn’t Mind Starting From Square 1

Cypress has no starting position players back from the team that won the community college state baseball title last spring, but that hasn’t dampened the spirits of Coach Scott Pickler.

The Chargers--and the other five teams in Orange County--start the season today, weather permitting.

“It’s fun,” Pickler said. “It’s a new challenge. It’s really going to be a challenge, but I love it.”

Cypress, which also won state titles in 1991 and ‘94, starts in the College of the Desert tournament with a 2 p.m. game against Victor Valley at Palm Springs Stadium.

Santa Ana, which also has three state titles (1993, 1995, 1996) under Coach Don Sneddon, opens on the road today with a 9:30 a.m. game at Rio Hondo and a 2 p.m. contest at Citrus.

Fullerton, Golden West, Orange Coast and Saddleback are at home for games today and Saturday.