By
Tony Lee
On
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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]
baseball,
Beck Wheeler,
Brett Wallach,
Brett Williams,
Calvin Drummond,
D.J. Arellano,
Drew Hillman,
Hank Schellingerhout,
Mykal Stokes,
Ryan Dunn,
Ryan Sheeks
By
Tony Lee
On
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Orange Coast College's running back Ray Holley (pictured) was literally like a Pirate Saturday because he was playing on only one good leg against Santa Ana College.
Holley suffered a MCL sprain in Coast's first offensive possession but he came came back to run 42 times for 191-yards and three touchdowns to lead the Pirates to a 33-27, triple-overtime victory Saturday at the LeBard Stadium."He's such a great kid and such a great player," head coach Mike Taylor said. "He kind of bit the bullet and played and got stronger even though he was playing on one leg."
The Pirates' defense was led by Jimmy Keating's 14 tackles (three for loss), 1.5 sacks and one pass breakup. He also added a game-ending interception to his stats that brought the 2,000 members at the LeBard Stadium to their feet."I just wanted to put the team on my shoulders and rep it," Keating said. "It was a make-or-break game for our season. If we would’ve lost, we would’ve gone 0-2 in league and no way we would’ve gone to a bowl game."Pirates are now 5-1, 1-1 in conference play, and the Dons are 3-3, 0-2 in conference. To see complete stats of the game, click here.
To read more about the triple-overtime coverage on OCC Sports Blog's Twitter, click here.
To read Coast's Sports Information Director Tony Altobelli's game summary, click here.
Or click on the "football" tag and read the OCC Sports Blog's live-coverage of the game.
[Photo courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Ray Holley led the scoring attack once again for the Pirates and drew first blood in the third overtime. However, the Pirates chose to go for two and quarterback Ethan Whitsell's pass was incomplete.With the score at 33-27, the Dons almost scored on a Jordan Thomas pass that deflected off two Santa Ana receivers.On third-and-three, the Pirates stuffed the Dons runner for a minus-three-yard carry.Jimmy Keating gets the interception on fourth down, Pirates win.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Dons, staring at a 50-yard field goal attempt to start off the second overtime, looked to be in trouble.However, Santa Ana's Chase Lansford laced the kick down the uprights with some spare room to put up three points on the board.After a Coast three-and-out, Pirates kicker Lucas Vandeman answered back with a 37-yard field goal.Score is tied 27-27 with the Pirates having the first attempt at the third overtime.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Ray Holley scored on a fourth-and-two run. The Dons responded with a 13-yard touchdown pass themselves. The score is still tied at 22-apiece.The Dons get the ball on the other side of the stadium first.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Pirates were one-yard away from ending the game on a Travis Sanford's sack/safety.Many of the Coast fans said it was a safety but the refs ruled it as a sack at the one-yard line.17-17 and the Pirates get the first try at the overtime - which both teams get the ball on the 25-yard line.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 10, 2009
With the momentum switched over to the Pirates' side, the Dons went three-and-out.Coast's Joe Galvez returned Santa Ana's punt for 20-yards and gave the Pirates the ball on the 43-yard line.However, after a one-yard gain by Holley, then a four-yard sack on quarterback Ethan Whitsell, the Pirates stared down another third-and-long.Coast called for a draw, about seven Dons were already in the backfield. Ray Holley reversed to the other side and Whitsell made a key-block to get the Pirates a 10-yard gain.Head coach Mike decided to punt the ball instead of going for the fourth down.With 1:09 left in the game, the Dons are on its 10-yard line, staring down a third-and-six and the Pirates have no timeouts left.An exciting finish is about to brew up at the LeBard Stadium.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The Pirates are back in field goal range with a 14-yard gain by Ray Holley, a 13-yard gain by Lano Fuentes and a 9-yard gain by Holley (on the 19-yard line).Holley, who ran over two Dons players for another gain of seven (and put the Pirates inside the 10-yard line) is proving once gain as the most valuable player for Coast's offense. However, Coast could not put it in the end zone with a touchdown but Lucas Vandeman made a 28-yard field goal to tie it up.5:34 left, the game is tied at 17-17.
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Coast running back Ray Holley (No. 22) is carrying the Pirates offense on his back.The Pirates quarterbacks have not compiled for over 50-yards of passing yards this game.Holley converted two third downs in the fourth quarter, but after a seven-yard sack that pushed the Pirates back to a second-and-17, Coast had to punt.We'll see if Coast can stop the Dons on the 49-yard line.EDITOn the Dons' first drive, Coast's Bryce Brantley recorded a sack and forced a fumble.Pirates, on their 47-yard line, ran the ball on its first play and Holley gained 14-yards on the run.[Photo by Kevin Warn]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Coast linebacker Jimmy Keating (pictured) is leading the way for the Pirates comeback.The Dons on a fourth down decided to go for it and was stopped behind the line of scrimmage by Keating - giving the Pirates the ball on its 48-yard line. After a 16-yard run by Ray Holley on third down, the Pirates again converted on third down on a 13-yard reverse to Lano Fuentes.However, a illegal block in the back was called on the Pirates. But on the Pirates next throw, SAC was called for roughing the passer - making it an automatic first down.Holley ran for another big gain (13-yards) and eventually scored on a one-yard toss on the goal line. Lucas Vanderman's extra point attempt was good. Pirates trail only by three, 14-17, with 1:12 left in the third.[Photo courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 10, 2009
The shifting of the quarterbacks seems to be working for the Dons.The Dons have been subbing starter Jordan Thomas with reserve Travis Toon in the second half and it led to another Santa Ana touchdown.Toon, on fourth and three on the 34-yard line, threw a pass to the sidelines and Dominique Williams came down with the football and the touchdown.Chase Lanford's extra point attempt was good, the Pirates on its next possession went three-and-out and the Dons have the ball at the 33-yard line with a 7-17 lead. 7:33 left in the third quarter.[Photo courtesy of Google.com]
By
Tony Lee
On
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Both teams have gone with different quarterbacks for the second half.The Dons quarterback is now Travis Toon instead of Jordan Thomas. The Pirates have started Ethan Whitsell again in the second half.
EDIT
Jordan Thomas is back on the field for the Dons.
