Warriors Take Series Win Over Orange Coast College

TORRANCE, Calif. — The El Camino College Warriors baseball team opened up the 2022 season by securing a series victory over Orange Coast College on Friday after an 8-5 win in the afternoon at Warrior Field.  

The Warriors (1-0) won the season opener 4-1 on Thursday over the Pirates (0-2).  It was game two of the Inaugural Memorial Cup Series, which honors the late OCC head coach John Altobelli and Warriors catcher Sladen Mohl.

After yesterday's pitchers duel that finished in less than 2 hours and 15 minutes, Friday's game was another story.   It was a game that featured 16 walks (12 by OCC and 4 by ECC)  and fell just south of three hours.  

Jack Snyder picked up the win for El Camino after allowing five runs on four hits, three walks, and striking out three batters.  Jake Covey suffered the loss for the Pirates after lasting 3.2 innings and allowing six runs on three hits and 3 walks. 

Ben Griffin and Ethan Felix led the El Camino offense after both picked up a pair of hits in the game.  Theo Forshey picked up the other Warrior hit.

The Warriors got on board first to start the game off.  Ben Griffin and Theo Forsey had back-to-back one out singles.  Griffin would eventually get to third on a wild pitch and eventually come around to score on another wild pitch by the Pirates starter.

The Pirates would take the 2-1 lead in the fourth inning before the Warriors responded with a 5-spot in the half inning to regain the advantage.  

The Warriors scored those five runs on just two hits in the inning.  After Jonah Storey was hit by a pitch, Ethan Felix doubled down the LF line to put both runners in scoring position.  Dylan Knowles hit a grounder to 1B and the first basemen overthrew the catcher at home to bring in the tying run.  Waldie Perez was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Julio Camerena worked a bases-loaded walk to bring in a run.  Jake Harper drove in a run after a fielder's choice groundout to the shortstop.  Perez would come around to score on a wild pitch.  This led the Pirates to change pitchers but the Warriors were able to squeeze one more run out of the inning after Ben Griffin singled in a run to make it a 6-2 game.

The Pirates responded immediately in their next half inning after Cary Arbolida hammered a ball on top of the scoreboard to bring in three runs.  The Warriors once again responded in the next half inning.   They started the inning by working three consecutive one out walks.  Jake Harper hit a sac fly to cash in one of those runs.  Cain Lusic extended the inning after a throwing error by the third basemen on a sharp grounder to 3B.  Ben Griffin worked a walk to bring in another run for the Warriors.

James Kobylt tossed the final four frames for the Warriors by scattering three hits in four scoreless innings.

The third and final game of the series will take place Saturday at noon at the newly renamed John Altobelli Field at OCC.  Following Saturday's game, there will be a post-series celebration for both teams and their fans at Original Pizza Sports Bar and Grill, located at the Newport Beach Golf Course at 3100 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach. All ages welcomed.