Olson legacy strong at OCC

As a former construction management major, Cory Olson knows all about following a blueprint. So, when it came to choosing a sport in college, it was no surprise when he eventually chose to follow in the rather formidable footsteps of his father.

Mark Olson batted .390 in 1973 to lead the Orange Coast College baseball team.

Last season, some 34 years later, the younger Olson did the same, batting .381 on his way to first-team All-Orange Empire Conference honors.

This season, Olson has continued to produce for the Pirates (30-13-1), who play host to Long Beach (26-18) today at 2:30 p.m. in the first of a best-of-three series to open the Southern California Regional playoffs.

Cory Olson, who has hit in the No. 3 and leadoff spots in the Pirates order this season, is batting .347 with a team-leading 60 hits. He also leads the Pirates in home runs (eight), triples (four), total bases (100), walks (30), slugging percentage (.578) and stolen bases (18 in 18 attempts).

The sophomore center fielder, who was named first-team all-conference again this week, has signed to continue his career at UC Irvine.

First, however, he hopes to help lead OCC earn its first state title since 1980.

By 1980, Mark Olson had wrapped up a two-year career at what was then Chapman College. A shoulder injury sustained in an automobile accident, ruined his plans to play professionally in the Cincinnati Reds organization. But it did nothing to dampen his enthusiasm for athletics.

So, when Mark’s first child, Robin, and then Cory began playing youth baseball, Mark was an enthusiastic coach. His willingness provide guidance to his sons was a constant in both of their athletic careers.

“He’s very athletic and he always tries to help you do the right thing,” Cory said of his dad, who is not above invoking a little family bragging rights when it comes to statistics.

“He played here in 1973 and I’ve never heard the end of it,” Cory said with a smile. “I had him for most of last season [flirting with .400 through the regular season before a hand injury led to a drop-off in his average in the playoffs], but I couldn’t finish up.”

Cory said quick hands and good instincts at the plate weren’t the only things he picked up from his dad.

“Since I was in the ninth grade, my dad has pushed me to try to hit and learn more,” Cory said. “But I would rather have had him do that than do nothing at all. I mean, he’s helped push me to where I’m at.”

Where he’s at is one of the best all-around community college players in the state, using surprising power, speed, and a passion for defense to supplement his ability to hit for average.

“I try to work hard every day and I put a lot of extra time into it,” Olson said. “My focus, this season, has been to win a state championship. Whether I do well or not, I want to win a state championship, because I won a championship in football in high school and I know what that feels like.”

As a standout receiver at Orange Lutheran High, Olson helped the Lancers win the CIF Southern Section Division VI football crown in 2004.

After earning second-team all-league recognition in baseball as a senior, the 5-foot-11, 180-pounder elected to pursue a football future at Cal Lutheran University.

But after a fractured foot sidelined him for what would have been his freshman season, Olson quickly discovered that it was baseball that more thoroughly satisfied his competitive urges.

“I got bored with football,” he said. “In football, you play 10 games a year. I’ve probably played 70 games this year in baseball.”

Olson said it took him three or four months to knock off the rust that had accumulated while not playing baseball. But he was impressive enough to earn a starting role at OCC as a freshman and he has started all 44 games this season.

He chose UCI over Oregon, TCU and Kentucky and believes his destiny on the diamond will far surpass where he might have gone in football.

“I’ve never second guessed my decision to return to baseball,” he said. I’m very happy with it. Being on the baseball field is the most fun I have all day. It’s where I go to escape.”

Still living at home, Olson said it is more difficult to escape the good-natured banter that occasionally takes place between he and his dad.

But the younger Olson can still do something his dad never accomplished at Orange Coast.

“If I win a state championship, that might be the ultimate bragging rights,” Cory said.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at barry.faulkner@latimes.com.