OCC thumps Ventura

COSTA MESA — The Orange Coast College baseball team made a loud entrance into the postseason, defeating visiting Ventura 15-1 on Friday in Game 1 of the Southern California Regional playoffs.

After sputtering into the postseason, the No. 2 seed OCC Pirates (30-13) regained some fire thanks to a 15-run, 20-hit offense and a pitching duo that held the 15th-seed Ventura Pirates (27-17) to just two hits after the first inning.

Sophomore standout Brett Wallach had his hand in both categories, throwing seven strong innings to improve to 8-1 and added two hits, two runs and two RBIs at the plate. The Orange Empire Conference Player of the Year allowed one run on five hits, walking three and striking out five in a 109-pitch performance.

Ventura’s lone run came in the first inning when A.J. Gallardo singled home Garrett Rau with the game’s first score, putting the visiting Pirates up 1-0. But the hosts answered fast with three in the bottom of the frame.

The big blow came from sophomore first baseman Ricky Stokes, who ripped a two-out, two-run double to left-center, scoring Drew Hillman (three for six, three runs, three RBIs) and Wallach.

After a Ventura error helped plate OCC’s fourth run in the fourth inning, Ricky Stokes hit his fourth home run of the season to make it 5-1. Stokes finished the game with three hits, two run scored and four RBI.

In the eighth, Kris Martin came off the bench and ripped his first home run of the season to cap off the scoring. Brett Williams closed out the game with two scoreless innings of work.

Ryan Sheeks was a spark from the leadoff spot, providing two hits and three runs scored for Coast.

Ventura and Orange Coast will play Game 2 of this best-of-three series today, beginning at 11 a.m. If Ventura wins, a third-and-final game will be played 30 minutes following the conclusion of today’s first game.

Southern California Regional playoffs Game 1

Orange Coast 15, Ventura 1

SCORE BY INNINGS

Walters, Martinez (7), Javate (7), Duhamel (8) and Yingling; Wallach, Williams (8) and Arellano. W – Wallach, 8-1. L – Walters, 5-4. 2B – Rau (VC); R. Stokes (OCC) 2, M. Stokes (OCC). 3B – Wallach (OCC). HR – Hillman (OCC), R. Stokes (OCC), Martin (OCC).