Briefs: OCC’s Licon signs

Joel Licon, a sophomore shortstop for the Orange Coast College baseball team in 2012, has signed a professional contract with the Minnesota Twins organization.

Licon, selected in the 25th round (No. 760 overall) in last week’s Major LeagueFirst-Year Player Draft, had signed a letter of intent to continue his college career at Liberty University. He began his collegiate career at Loyola Marymount.

Licon hit .310 with four home runs, 31 runs batted in and 43 runs en route to second-team all-state recognition in 2012, helping the Pirates win the Orange Empire Conference championship and advance to the four-team state tournament.

Drafted as a second baseman, Licon becomes the third of OCC’s six 2012 draftees to sign. Pitcher Brandon Brennan (Chicago White Sox) and center fielder Boog Powell (Oakland Athletics) signed earlier.

Outfielder Chris Carlson (Red Sox), outfielder and pitcher Bijan Rademacher (Cubs), and outfielder-catcher-designated hitter Stefan Sabol (Mets) remain unsigned.

— Barry Faulkner

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Mann scores two

Corona del Mar High product John Mann scored twice and former UC Irvine All-Americans Ryan Bailey and Jeff Powers added one goal apiece, but the USA Water Polo men’s national team lost, 7-5, to Italy in its final match of group play at the FINA World League Super Final in Almaty, Kazakhstan on Thursday.

Team USA faces Spain in a quarterfinal on Friday.

Mann, who was a collegiate All-American at UC Berkeley, is battling to earn a spot on the 2012 U.S. Olympic team.

Former UCI All-American Tim Hutten also contributed for the Americans.

— From staff reports