OCC playoff rematch has same result

COSTA MESA ? For one game Tuesday, the Santa Ana and Orange Coast baseball team’s relived last season’s Southern California super regional title game matchup. The teams split a doubleheader with walk-off hits, the second game going to the Pirates, who went to the four-team state tournament.

The Pirates are a different team this year and so new players took over the role of heroes as Orange Coast rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth to defeat Santa Ana, 11-10.

In the final inning, five of the six players to reach base were freshmen, with first baseman Eric Oliver delivering the winning hit. With runners at first and second, one out and the game tied, Oliver sent a line drive that one-hopped the right-center field fence to drive in the winning run.

“It’s always exciting to win like that,” said Oliver, who was 3 for 6. “I was just trying to put it in play. There were two strikes, so I just wanted to fight something off. I didn’t have any doubt we would come back. Everybody was pumped up.”

Down, 10-7, heading into the ninth, the Pirates (19-15, 6-10 in conference) had scored one run the previous five innings, and the bottom half of the lineup, which was a combined 2 for 15 up to that point, was due up.

“We need all nine,” assistant coach Josh Belovsky said. “Those guys really stepped up.”

Stephen Schneider, the only sophomore of the six to reach base in the inning, was 0 for 3 with three strikeouts, but ripped a single to center field to start the rally. Chris Lum followed with a pinch-hit walk and Nick Rotkowitz cut the lead to 10-9 with a two-run double, his second double of the game.

“They kept fighting,” Belovsky said. “We kept telling them to believe.”

After a failed bunt attempt, Armando Ambriz drew a walk on a 3-and-2 count to bring up the top of the lineup. Garrett Smith singled to tie the score, giving the Pirates runners at first and second and driving Santa Ana closer Kris Medlen from the game.

“He’s the best closer in the league and they just battled and kept fighting,” Belovsky said. “When we got first and second and our two best hitters were coming up, we knew we had it.”

Oliver worked the count full before delivering the game winner. He said felt the pressure, despite having only one out and freshman Josh Bradbury behind him.

Orange Coast took the lead in the first when Oliver blasted a two-run home run over the 400-foot sign. Bradbury followed with a solo shot off the first pitch. The two were a combined 5 for 9 in the game.

Santa Ana dropped to 26-10, 10-6.