Pirates provide suspense yet again

Chris Yemma

Dubbed a “scrappy ballclub” by coach John Altobelli last week, the

Orange Coast College baseball team clawed its way to yet another

nail-biting finish and a fifth consecutive victory.

And the “scrappy” label was shifted to OCC’s opponent -- last

place Golden West.

Closer Luke Beck escaped out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of

the ninth inning and the Pirates held on to defeat visiting Golden

West, 3-2, Tuesday in Orange Empire Conference play.

“Golden West is a scrappy club,” Altobelli said. “We knew they

weren’t going to roll over.”

OCC (21-13-1, 12-5-1 in the OEC) remains within a game of

first-place Santa Ana with three conference games remaining. Santa

Ana defeated Fullerton, 10-5, Tuesday to hold its lead.

Tuesday also provided a third dramatic finish in four games, as

OCC won two straight with walk-off home runs before a little more

handily defeating Irvine Valley, 7-4, Saturday.

“That’s the way we’ve been doing it, it seems like the last few

weeks,” Altobelli said. “A nail-biter at the end.”

Beck relieved Justin Peterson entering the ninth inning and gave

up a leadoff single to Ray Kaptur, who advanced to second after the

right fielder misplayed the rolling ball.

The next batter popped up, but the ball was dropped for another

error, and then a Johnny Jimenez bunt loaded the bases for Golden

West with no outs and the score, 3-1.

Beck induced two quick outs but then walked Allen Woods, placing

the Rustlers (18-16, 6-12) within a run. But Beck escaped with a

groundout by Josh Bartusick for his sixth save on the season.

“I’m not ever too worried,” Beck said. “I prepare really well for

those types of situations, mentally and physically in the bullpen.

“I don’t get nervous -- I’ve been in too many pressure situations.

I love pressure situations. That’s what I live for, that’s what this

game’s all about.”

It also seems as if that’s what the entire team lives for. Stephen

Schneider gave the Pirates a win over Irvine Valley Thursday with a

walk-off home run, and Beck nailed a solo game-winning shot April 19

to edge OCC over Saddleback.

“I know my guys are behind me -- I know that when I get a grounder

they’re going to make the play,” said Beck, who hasn’t given up an

earned run in 17 1/3 innings this season.

Catcher Josh Banda made his way to the mound twice to calm Beck

after Golden West loaded the bases with no outs Tuesday.

“He just told me to stay relaxed, throw strikes and stay calm,”

said Beck, who also led OCC offensively, hitting 2 for 3 with two

RBIs.

The Pirates, who are seeking their first conference title since

1987, scored the go-ahead run on a Beck single in the fourth inning

that drove in Robbie Blauer from second.

Beck’s shot rocketed on the ground toward center and then hit a

bump and lifted over Golden West second baseman Preston Suttie,

allowing Blauer to reach home all the way from second.

Schneider drove in the insurance run, which proved to be essential

for the victory, in the sixth inning with a line drive down the

center, scoring Blauer from third.

OCC starting pitcher Keith Rizor tossed seven innings with five

hits, a run and four walks in improving to 3-1. Peterson entered in

the eighth, gave up a walk to the leadoff man and then retired the

next three with two strikeouts and a groundout.

Schneider finished 1 for 4 at the plate with an RBI, while Banda

was 1 for 3, Blauer was 1 for 4 and Stephen Cope was 1 for 2.

Golden West starter Grant Theophilus was tagged for six hits and

three runs in six innings while dishing five strikeouts.

OCC will face Santa Ana May 3 and May 5 with the conference title

on the line.

Orange Empire Conference

Orange Coast 3,

Golden West 2

Score by Innings

*--*

Golden West 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 2 7 1

Orange Coast 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 x - 3 6 3

*--*

Theophilus, Barrager (7) and Iribarren; Rizor, Peterson (8), Beck

(9) and Banda. W -- Rizor, 3-1. L -- Theophilus, 5-5. Sv -- Beck (6).

2B -- Kaptur (GW), Beck (OCC).