Pirates

COSTA MESA — Though there was confusion at times as to whether either team could play any worse, it was clear which team wanted most to avoid the worst-case scenario Saturday night at Orange Coast College. Ultimately, the host Pirates showed the greater resilience to claim a 57-50 triumph over Merced in the semifinals of the Thanksgiving Classic women's basketball tournament. The victory propels OCC (4-1) into today's 4 p.m. championship game against Mt. San Jacinto (3-2)

FULLERTON — Just three spots separate the women's basketball teams from Orange Coast College and Fullerton in the Southern California rankings. But the margin for error for the visiting Pirates Friday was even tighter, OCC Coach Mike Thornton said. So, despite catching the Hornets on what Thornton considered an off night, the Pirates failed to capitalize in a showdown for first place in the Orange Empire Conference. OCC (17-6, 4-1 in conference), ranked No. 6 in Southern California and No. 10 in the state, used a 10-0 run to take a 25-24 lead with a minute left in the first half.

COSTA MESA — Fire ants would be far more innocuous if their bite did not sting. So, while a stubby defensive drones swarm the perimeter of the Orange Coast College men's basketball team's zone, it is sophomore Will Ligon that prompts Pirates' opponents to frequently utter "ouch" on the OCC offensive end. Ligon made seven of nine second-half field-goal attempts to produce 19 of his 30 points after intermission and help OCC defeat nonconference visitor...

COSTA MESA — At its next home football game, Orange Coast College will honor the 1975 national championship team. And after a 46-10 drubbing at the hands of visiting Los Angeles Harbor Saturday night, OCC faithful are clearly pining for the nostalgia of the good old days. Two Pirates quarterbacks were sacked seven times and, largely due to having to scramble for their well being, combined to throw four interceptions. OCC also lost two fumbles and also added to their habit of special teams breakdowns.

COSTA MESA - It had been nearly two years since he'd won a game, and after redshirting at the University of Oregon last season, Friday marked the collegiate debut for Orange Coast College freshman pitcher Brandon Brennan. As if that weren't enough to accelerate his anxiety, there were about four-dozen professional scouts on hand to gauge his talent, his coach estimated. But if Brennan was at all knocked off his game in the Pirates' 6-3 nonconference home win over Cuesta, it certainly was difficult to tell.

IRVINE — Like a good leading man, the Orange Coast College pitching staff refuses to be typecast. But, despite a lack of clearly defined roles, the Pirates' pitching plot line thus far seems to offer the juiciest parts to its supporting cast. In the baseball vernacular: relievers. Freshman right-hander Jed Vandernaald once again stepped from the bullpen into the spotlight to lead OCC to a 9-5 Orange Empire Conference victory at Irvine Valley on Tuesday. Vandernaald, one of nine to have started at least one game for the Pirates (17-4, 3-3 in conference)

COSTA MESA — Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli limps to the third-base coaching box these days with a swollen knee. But, ever a slave to diamond routine, he still throws every batting practice. That pitch count increases every time his pitchers throw a shutout, as the former minor league outfielder, in his 19th season at OCC, pledges to throw batting practice to all the pitchers as a reward for their holding an opponent scoreless. "Luckily, we play games all week, so maybe by the time we have another practice, they will have forgotten about it," Altobelli said with a smile after four pitchers combined on a six-hitter in a 4-0 nonconference triumph over visiting Long Beach on Tuesday that helped OCC improve to 4-0. Freshman Ryan Boselo worked four strong innings in his collegiate debut to collect the win. The Estancia High product surrendered just one hit and struck out three.

COSTA MESA — Visiting San Bernardino Valley had shots carom off the side of the backboard, layups launch two feet over the rim and saw four shots fail to draw iron that weren't blocked Friday night. But despite shooting a paltry 32.3% from the field (21 of 65) and 12.5% from three-point range (one for eight), the Wolverines were on the mark in the only department that mattered in the second round of the Southern California Regional women's basketball playoffs. The Foothill Conference's third-place team nailed its upset bid with a 61-59 victory over Orange Coast, which had won 17 straight and 26 of its last 27. The Pirates, seeded No. 4 in Southern California and ranked fifth in the final state coaches' poll, saw their postseason halted in what Coach Mike Thornton called one of the most difficult losses he has absorbed in 18 seasons at the Pirates' helm.