Coasters: OCC spring sports, like a movie

Steve Virgen

If you’re looking for high-intensity action, sure you can find it

at the local movie theater, as the entertainment industry is preparing

for the summer binge with flicks like “Blow” and “15 Minutes”. But, why

spend the money on those tickets when you can gain the same experience at

Orange Coast College?

Come and take a tour with me as we visit the drama within some of the

spring sports at OCC.

Want the feel-good story of the year? How about the inaugural season

of the Pirates women’s badminton team? Hey, these Bucs are for real.

Witness their climb from their season-opener against defending state

champion San Diego Mesa on Feb. 23. Back then, OCC lost, 16-5. But, on

Wednesday, the Bucs nearly pulled off the upset when they were edged,

11-10, at the Olympians’ gym.

Coast freshman Cynthia Tran is the star of this show. She is

undefeated in singles (18-0) and Coach Barbara Bond predicts she could

finish the season without a loss.

“She’s a great kid too,” Bond says.

As some of her teammates are still learning about the game, Tran shows

patience and maintains her competitive spirit with a healthy team

attitude.

Tran and freshman Rosie Pham bring much experience from their playing

days at Garden Grove High under Coach Vicki Toutz. Bond is saving the duo

for doubles competition come playoff time, which begins with the Orange

Empire Conference Tournament May 4.

“They’re really fierce competitors when it comes down to it,” Bond

says. “We’re going to work more on their game. When they do meet somebody

comparable, they’ll be ready.”

Looking for a suspense thriller? Enter the unpredictable story of the

OCC men’s baseball team. With five OEC games remaining, the Pirates

(20-8, 10-6 in conference) remain in third place and in position to meet

their most important goal: earning a playoff berth.

The Pirates are in third place in the OEC with leader Santa Ana and

runner-up Riverside ahead of them with five conference games remaining.

“It would be a big disappointment if we didn’t make the playoffs,”

Coach John Altobelli says. “We still have a ways to go, but if we get

there, we do have a chance (to advance) because that’s when the records

go out the window.”

Altobelli could be best described, perhaps, as the rebel with a cause.

Last year, after an underachieving squad might have caused the OCC coach

to throw in the towel, Altobelli changed the character of the team with

hungry players and new assistants.

“We have a whole new core of players,” Altobelli says. “I decided to

make some changes and bring in new coaches. The new players just seem to

have a better attitude. They understand our game plan as a team. Everyone

is on the same page.”

Add those young players, including Newport Harbor High product Scott

Beerer, Glenn Hedgpeth, Jake Garcia and Ryan Marcos, to solid sophomores

Josh McCanne and Brian Murphy and you understand why there is such a

difference from last year.

McCanne, who plays first base, leads the team with a .413 batting

average. Murphy, the catcher, has 28 RBIs, third best on the team, and

carries a .408 average.

And those freshman, oh those freshman. Beerer is tied with McCanne for

the team lead in hits (46) while batting .397. Marcos leads the team with

32 RBIs and is hitting better than .300, as are freshmen Greg Trimble and

Troy Bokosky.

The sequel to this show should be even more exciting as the Pirates

feature 24 freshmen on their 29-man roster.

“It’s great that we’re going to have almost the entire team back next

season,” Altobelli says. “It’s going to be tough to fill what (McCanne

and Murphy) bring. They’re having great seasons.”

Before the Pirates resume conference play, they will compete in the

Sequoias Tournament in Visalia (Wednesday-Friday) where they have

compiled an eight-game winning streak over the past two years.

There’s always room for tragedy and that’s the OCC softball team’s

cue.

The Pirates have just one OEC victory and a lack of fundamentals has

been their demise. But, the Pirates are expecting a new cast next season.

“Basically, my focus is to have a good recruiting class,” Coach Jim

Bollinger says of the program’s future. “I want to make sure the kids are

aware that we’re going to be a school that’s dedicated to having a

history in softball.”

Despite the losing season, four OCC sophomores are making sure they

are remembered. Catcher Meredith Miles broke the school record for career

stolen bases last week.

Bollinger said the Pirates’ softball program would be obsolete this

season without Miles, Jenn-I Jensen, Renee Snyder and Kim Guillen.

“They’ve done whatever I have asked of them and with no complaints,”

Bollinger says. “They keep my faith up.”

Bollinger also noted Guillen “has just stepped up. She’s kind of the

unspoken leader of the team. I never hear a word out of her, she just

steps up. She never quits on me.”

Bollinger, who coached at Mater Dei from 1994-97 and guided the

Monarchs to one CIF Southern Section title and two runner-up finishes,

says he is expecting his network to kick in during the offseason, as he

vows the program will improve.

“We came in behind the eight ball,” he says. “My goal is to turn it

around. I’m pretty tenacious. I refuse to surrender.”

Perhaps you’re looking for a bit of controversy? Well search no

further than the men’s volleyball team. Everything is OK with the OEC

champions, but in the title-clinching victory over visiting Palomar

Friday, controversy definitely played a role as Comets Coach Hugh

Gerhardt was not pleased with the officiating. Coast Coach Chuck Cutenese

did not like some of the calls as well.

“We got homered,” Gerhardt said. “I’m going with the controversy on

this one. There were five close calls that we could’ve got.”

Gerhardt was seen chastising Daylyn Kelley, the game’s line judge who

plays for the OCC women’s volleyball team. Lauren Wilson and Taryn Moore,

whom are also on the women’s volleyball squad, worked as line judges

during the match as well.

Regardless, the lead official gave OCC a yellow card because someone

other than its captain challenged a call. But, Gerhardt walked out to the

court, approached the official and challenged a call. This time no yellow

card.

“I felt early in the match, (the official) didn’t give us the calls,”

Cutenese said. “She never had control of the match. I will be the first

to admit when an official is bad. Was the officiating poor? Yes. But,

that didn’t favor one side or the other. She was poor for both sides.”

As if the action on the court wasn’t enough, a fight almost broke out

after the match between some Palomar players and an OCC fan, who was said

to be a former Pirates men’s volleyball player.

And what would this tour be without some comedy? The OCC women’s

tennis team provided some giggles as it captured OEC singles and doubles

titles.

Coast teammates Veronica Sommer and Stephanie Chang played each other

for the OEC singles championship and then they teamed to win the doubles

title with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 victory over Saddleback’s Lena Bowen and Janet

Suthisamphat.

Sommer claimed the singles title with a 6-4, 6-4 win over her doubles

partner.

But, Bucs’ Coach Janice Maran’s season is no laughing matter. The

Pirates have already clinched the OEC title, the 17th for Maran in her 24

seasons with the team. Her overall record is 336-57 (.855), including a

246-28 (.898) mark in conference.

Care for another suspense story? There’s some plot twists and high

drama surrounding the men’s track and field team ... to be continued.