Golden West

Though it is not always level-headed, the historic football rivalry between Orange Coast College and Golden West has at least been virtually even-handed. Should the Pirates (2-0), ranked No. 19 in the state and No. 11 in Southern California, win the 42nd meeting tonight at 6 at OCC, they would even the series record at 20-20-2. Golden West (0-2) has won just once in the last five contests of the rivalry now deemed the West-Coast Showdown. In addition to being a battle for bragging rights between the neighboring schools, who frequently battle for recruits, this matchup could also be viewed as a debate between offensive philosophies.

BASEBALL Golden West 7, Orange Coast 4 COSTA MESA — Drew Hillman, Beck Wheeler, Ricky Stokes and Ryan Dunn had two hits each for the Pirates in the Orange Empire Conference game Tuesday. Ryan Sheeks went one for four with two RBIs for OCC (28-12, 16-6 in league). It was the Pirates’ third straight loss at home. Golden West improved to 13-25-2, 5-17, last in the OEC. OCC’s loss, combined with Santa Ana’s 7-3 win over Riverside, puts the Pirates and Dons in a first-place tie atop the OEC standings with two games remaining.

IRVINE — The Orange Coast College men’s volleyball team dug deep to reach its third straight state final four, but it was the digging ability of rival Golden West that ended the Pirates’ season Thursday night. Golden West overcame what freshman outside hitter and former Costa Mesa High standout Ryan Bagwell said were some opening-game jitters, to claim a 25-30, 30-28, 30-19, 30-27 semifinal triumph at Irvine Valley College. It was the third win for the Rustlers (14-6)

The Orange Coast College men’s volleyball team, fresh off its upset road win Tuesday, takes on rival Golden West in the state semifinals today at 8 p.m. at Irvine Valley. The Pirates (13-8) scored a five-game win at Moorpark to open the Southern California Regional playoffs. The winner of tonight’s match advances to the state title match, Saturday at 7 p.m. OCC lost both its contests with Golden West this year, in four games at OCC on March 11 and in three games at Golden West on April 3. — From staff reports

HUNTINGTON BEACH — The Drummond beat goes on for the Orange Coast College baseball team, which continued its oppressive pitching and abundant hitting in a 7-1 win over Orange Empire Conference host Golden West Tuesday. The victory, keyed by seven strong innings from freshman right-hander Calvin Drummond, extended the Pirates’ winning streak to five, all against conference foes. OCC (14-7, 5-2 in conference), ranked No. 15 in Southern California, has rebounded from an 0-2 conference start, as well as the trauma surrounding the death of redshirt sophomore Jourdan Watanabe on Feb. 27. “[At Fullerton Thursday, Hornets’ Coach Nick Fuscardo]

TODAY Basketball College men – Cal Poly Pomona at UC Irvine (exhibition), Bren Events Center 7:05 p.m. Cross country College men and women – Vanguard at Golden State Athletic Conference Championships, Woodward Park, Fresno, 9 a.m. Football Community college – Orange Coast at Palomar, 1 p.m. Soccer College men – UC Irvine at Cal State Northridge, 2...