The OCC Sports Blog suffered because yours truly went to visit potential colleges to transfer to next year.

For the loyal readers who missed out on a week's worth of Orange Coast College athletics, I am truly sorry.

But to continue on the topic of college transfers, here are some of the players from the 2009 state champion Pirate baseball team that moved onto other places.

The MVP of the state championship playoffs, starting catcher D.J.Arellano (right), is at New Mexico State University.

Pirates' lead off outfielder Ryan Sheeks is now a member of Concordia University Irvine Eagles.

Infielder Ryan Dunn, who was benched for the Super Regional Playoffs after a rough regular season but returned to the starting lineup in the State Championship to hit 7-for-14 with a home run, seven runs scored and six runs batted in (RBI), is at Oregon State University.

Pitcher Calvin Drummond, as a freshman, has transferred to University of San Diego.

As reported earlier, Brett Williams and Beck Wheeler are still going to USC and UC Santa Barbara, respectively.

Brett Wallach, the 2009 Orange Empire Conference Player of the Year, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round in the latest baseball draft.

After he signed with the Dodgers, Wallach (left), in 12 appearances with a Dodges affiliate Ogden Raptors, compiled a 0-1 record with a 5.23 earned run average (ERA) in 31 innings pitched wth 38 strikeouts.

Starting third baseman Drew Hillman, who was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 38th round, is at UC Irvine to continue his baseball career.

Starting center fielder Mykal Stokes, drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 46th round, is back at Coast as a sophomore.

Head coach John Altobelli said in about two months, he'll have a better idea for the 2010 roster for the Pirates.

[Photos courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]

OCC baseball, volleyball and football players are moving onto four-year colleges and universities next fall, according to Daily Pilot reports.

Shortstop Beck Wheeler and closer Brett Williams from the 2009 OCC state championship team are going back to Division-I ranks.

Williams is a bounce-back from Loyola Marymount University and Wheeler started his career at University of the Pacific.

Wheeler (left), who hit .333 with two home runs and 28 RBIs this year, will suit-up for the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos.

Williams (right), who posted a 4-2 record with a 2.01 ERA and four saves, will be a Trojan and play for USC in the fall.

Both players were All-Southern California honorees and both earned first-team All-Orange Empire Conference recognition.

Also, Brett Wallach, the 2009 OEC Player of the Year who was drafted and signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, will report to the Ogden Raptors in Utah to play Rookie Ball baseball.

Three Coast volleyball players are also moving onto four-year universities.

As I reported in May, players Mike Stewart and Rick Schroeder are still going to Ohio State and UC Santa Cruz, respectively.

But Doug Astor (left), who told me he was thinking of either USC or Loyola Marymount, will head to Pepperdine University in the fall.

All three players were part of the 2008 team that made it to the state finals and the 2009 team that made it to the state final-four.

The Daily Pilot's Barry Faulkner wrote a good piece on the several Pirate football players moving onto four-years so I will leave just a link for the football players.

Actually, Barry made it easier for me because he confirmed all the rumors I've heard since the spring semester. The OCC Sports Blog and I thank you.

[Photos of Wheeler and Williams - Courtesy of Orange Coast College]
[Photo of Astory - By Melissa Lee]