Warriors Drop Series Finale against OCC

TORRANCE, Calif. - The El Camino College Warriors baseball team dropped the opening series finale against Orange Coast College, 8-4, on Tuesday afternoon at Warrior Field.

The Warriors (2-1) had already secured the 2024 edition of the Memorial Cup on Saturday after winning the first two games against OCC. 

Ryan Matsukawa and Connor Meidroth both had three hit games for the Warriors while Joey Replogle had two hits including his first home run of the season. The Pirates outhit the Warriors 11-to-9 for the game led by Taylor Takata's two home runs

AJ Hiestand got the start and made his first pitching appearance for the Warriors since March 19th, 2022. However, Hiestand labored through five innings allowing seven runs on nine hits and two walks.  Gavin Grace and Jake Fallon each pitched a pair of innings in relief.

The Pirates jumped to a 7-0 lead during the first four innings before the Warriors were able to respond.

Joey Replogle led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo blast over the left field center to make it a 7-1 game.

The Pirates added a run in the sixth inning to make it an 8-1 game.  The Warriors added two runs of their own in the sixth inning.  Matt Chavez led the inning off with a base hit and Lucas Bonham worked a walk.  Matsukawa singled to bring in one run and Connor Meidroth followed with another base hit to drive in the second run of the inning.

The Warriors attempted a late rally in the bottom of the ninth after Matsukawa led the inning off with a double down the left field line.  Meidroth singled him in to make it an 8-4 game.  The Warriors got runners on 1st and 2nd in the inning but that was as far they would get for the game.

The Warriors will head to Citrus College tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m.  The Warriors will return to Warrior Field to host Chaffey on Friday, February 2nd at 1:00 p.m.