CYPRESS & ORANGE COAST BEGIN TITLE DEFENSE WITH START OF OEC-PLAY

The Orange Empire Conference softball season is officially underway as all eight teams got started with three game series last week.

No. 5 ranked Cypress (10-2, 3-0) began their OEC title defense with a sweep of a Santiago Canyon (8-14, 0-3) team that made its return after not sponsoring a team in 2025.

The Chargers were dominant as they outscored SCC 49-9 in the series while reigning OEC Most Valuable Pitcher of Year, Haley Tucker, struck out 12 and picked up three wins against the Hawks.

In 2025, the Orange Coast Pirates (5-8, 2-1) clinched a share of the OEC title for the first time in 33 years and will have a chance to repeat this season.

Although the Pirates finished preseason with a sub .500 record, they should still be considered one of the most dangerous teams as they sit in the top seven in RPI in the South after going 2-1 against the No. 7 ranked Fullerton Hornets (9-4, 1-2).

Fullerton should also be in the mix for a title with the fourth best RPI and a 7-3 record over their last 10 games.

The Saddleback Bobcats (15-7, 3-0) and Golden West Rustlers (12-7, 3-0) both earned sweeps to begin OEC on the right foot. The Bobcats are looking to make their second consecutive playoff run following a fifth place conference finish and a second round exit last season.

GWC seeks to build off their best season in recent years as they placed fourth but came just shy of a playoff berth.

They'll match up against each other in week two with the Bobcats hosting on Tuesday afternoon.

Rounding out the group are Riverside City (5-13, 0-3) and Santa Ana (2-13, 0-3) who will be looking for their first OEC wins as week two begins.

Story by Cammie Lewis, Santa Ana College