The Orange Empire Is Still a Conference With Plenty of Power

Orange Empire Conference baseball teams rose to become powerhouses during the past decade, and this season they are still going strong.

Conference teams won six state titles--three each by Cypress and Santa Ana--and made 14 of a possible 20 appearances in the state tournament in the 1990s.

The conference earned the reputation of being the best in the nation during that time.

This season, four teams already have at least 10 victories heading into conference play, which begins today.

Cypress (11-0)--The Chargers were within a strike of the state title last season, only to finish as runners-up. This season, they feature a less experienced team but will be led by three sophomore pitchers: left-hander Garrett Estabrook (2-0) and right-handers Brandon Luna (three saves) and Dan Ellis (2-0).

Freshman shortstop Ryan Hubbard is hitting .487 and scored 21 runs in the first 10 games and freshman right fielder Ben Francisco is hitting .368 with a team-high 21 RBIs. Freshman center fielder Daylon Monette, a seventh-round pick by the Cleveland Indians last year, is batting .444.

Fullerton (6-7)--Coach Nick Fuscardo is taking a new approach with his pitching staff this season. He plans to use his top pitchers in as many games as possible. “We’re going to go with our better guys and try and win each game instead of looking at the long run,” Fuscardo said. A couple of freshman left-handers, Bryan Clark (3-1) and Joe Rogers (2-0), have been solid early. Eddie Romprey (.390) returns to play shortstop and be the closer.

Sophomore David Fischer was expected to bat fourth but broke his foot in January and is out for the season. Sophomore outfielder David Cosato was hitting .537 through 12 games and freshman third baseman George Malone was at .438.

Golden West (8-4)--Coach Bert Villarreal had a solid recruiting year capped by getting former Corona del Mar standout Ty Harper (.417, 18 RBIs), who is playing first base.

Sophomore center fielder Joe Yagher is hitting .378 with three of the team’s seven home runs.

Freshman right-hander Todd Gelatka (1-1) has 28 strikeouts in 21 innings. Sophomore right-hander Nate Beucler (2-0) and freshman right-hander Matt Larson (1-1) will also start. Freshman right-hander Luke Branch has four saves in four chances.

Orange Coast (5-6)--The Pirates started slowly last season but made a strong late push to make the playoffs. Sophomore right-hander Mike Carey is 1-1 with a 0.60 earned-run average and has pitched a one-hitter. Freshman right-hander Robert Deven (1-1) has a 1.80 ERA. Sophomore left-handers John Coleman (1-1) and Jamie Brown (1-0) return, and sophomore right-hander Drew Parkin (three saves) is the closer.

Freshman catcher Willie Keller is hitting .400 in eight games and freshman second baseman/outfielder Blair Havens is hitting .394 with eight RBIs.

Sophomore designated hitter Jason Reuss, who hit 15 home runs last season, has three this season. Freshman first baseman Eric Wiethorn is hitting .359 with two home runs.

Riverside (11-1-1)--The word was out early that the Tigers should be the favorites because of their deep pitching staff. The pitchers have combined for a 2.44 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 118 innings. Left-handers Teddy Sutton (0.68 ERA) and Derrick Van Dusen (1.86) and right-handers Johnny Martinez (0.93) and Jason Sobczyk (1.50) are each 2-0.

Sophomore outfielder Antonio Cameron is hitting .420 with six home runs and 28 RBIs. Sophomore second baseman Ryan Rasmussen is hitting .451, despite a broken thumb, and sophomore outfielder Jason Fransz is at .432.

Saddleback (10-1)--Like Riverside, Saddleback has a deep pitching staff.

Sophomore left-hander Ryan Cheo, who has signed with UCLA, is 3-0, as is sophomore right-hander Rob Ogren. Each has a 0.87 ERA. Left-handers Kevin Beavers (Pepperdine) and Adam Green (Purdue) have also helped contribute to the staff’s conference-best ERA (2.00).

Sophomore shortstop Gerry Alesia is hitting .455 and sophomore catcher Josh Arhart is at .435 with 12 RBIs. Freshman first baseman Josue Lopez leads with 13 RBIs.

Sophomore center fielder Chad Concolino hurt his hand and will redshirt.

Santa Ana (10-0-1)--The Dons struggled last year because of injuries to their pitchers, but recovered to finish third in the state.

Left-hander Greg Young, who was 7-0 as a freshman two years ago, is back after an arm injury.

The Dons are fifth among the conference’s seven teams in hitting and sixth in pitching, but they have yet to lose. Sophomore right-hander Jeremy Weinberg is 3-0 and Ron Aparicio, another sophomore right-hander, is 2-0. Dale Thayer, a freshman right-hander, has a 1.17 ERA and three saves.

Sophomore right fielder C.J. Wilson is hitting .326 and is also 1-0 as a pitcher. He is expected to start the conference opener against Fullerton today.

Freshman third baseman Aaron Escobedo is hitting .386.

The Dons haven’t put up big offensive numbers partly because of a tough schedule, including two games against Fresno and one against Sacramento, the two-time defending state champion.