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.
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
