Pirates blank Roadrunners in season opener
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Desert | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 |
|
Orange Coast | 4 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | X | 15 | 14 | 2 |
COSTA MESA -- The 2016 baseball season is underway and the Orange Coast College baseball team made an early statement with a 15-0 nonconference win over visiting College of the Desert on Friday at Wendell Pickens Field.
The two-time defending state champion Pirates used a four-run first inning and a seven-run third to run away from the Roadrunners (1-1), who managed only five hits against OCC's five-pitcher committee, led by starter Casey Costello. The sophomore righty pitched five scoreless innings to collect the win, allowing just two hits, one walk and six strikeouts.
The bullpen foursome of Nicko Cottone, Austin Moore, Sam Eggenburg and Ryan Randel gave up just three hits, one walk and five strikeouts the rest of the way.
A bases-loaded double off the bat of Eric Wagaman highlighted OCC's four-run first, putting the Pirates up, 2-0.
In the bottom of the third, COD was its own worst enemy, allowing three runs to score on bases-loaded walks before J.T. McLellan cleared the bases with a three-run double to left-center. McLellan finished with three hits, two runs and three RBI, while Wagaman collected two hits, two runs and two RBI. John Balliet went 1-for-2 with two runs and two RBI, while J.T. Navarro went 3-for-3 with a run and an RBI.
OCC will return to action on Saturday at Long Beach City College, beginning at 12 p.m. Coast will host the Vikings on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
