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Community College Baseball Preview: OCC restocked, ready

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Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli said the pitching plan in 2015 is to utilize a slew of arms. And, if the Pirates are to make a run at their second straight state title, Altobelli’s well-rested right arm will also figure prominently in the mix.

Altobelli, entering his 23rd season at the helm, will return to the third-base coaching box after a two-year absence. It’s a slightly different offensive vantage point from the one in which he viewed last year’s 36-9 campaign that included an unprecedented 9-0 postseason to extend a 14-game season-ending winning streak.

But gone is Orange Empire Conference Player of the Year Cody Nulph (expected to start at shortstop at Auburn after completing his last season with a 30-game hitting streak), and OEC Co-Pitchers of the Year David and Jacob Hill, who combined for a 22-1 record before taking their twin talents to the University of San Diego.

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But returning is state tournament MVP Art Vidro, a left-handed pitcher who went 4-0 in the postseason and was 8-3 with a 2.22 earned-run average, as well as all-state right fielder Tommy Bell and all-conference left fielder Robert Longtree.

Bell hit .384 with five home runs and 39 runs batted in, while Longtree, who moves from the No. 9 spot to the leadoff role, hit .278 with 13 homers and a team-best eight stolen bases.

Sophomore Dominic Purpura is back to anchor a deep bullpen, after going 2-0 with two saves, including the state-title clincher, and a 1.09 ERA that helped the OCC staff fashion an impressive 1.87 ERA in more than 403 innings.

Jake Thumm, who hit .289 with 15 RBIs as the starting third baseman last season, is ineligible this season, but there is a strong group of newcomers poised to fill any gaps, Altobelli said.

Foremost among the newcomers are a handful of bounce-backs from four-year programs, led by sophomore catcher Jack Kruger, who played 28 games and started 17 for Oregon in 2014.

“That was a nice Christmas gift when he showed up after the fall semester,” said Altobelli, who will rely on Kruger’s defensive leadership and offensive prowess.

Kruger hit .208 with one homer and six RBIs in 53 at-bats for the Ducks, but is projected to be in the cleanup spot when the Pirates, ranked No. 1 in Southern California in the preseason poll, play host to No. 2-ranked Palomar in the season opener Thursday at 2 p.m.

Sophomore infielder Zack Ferreira hit .310 in 45 starts at Northwest Missouri State last season. He drove in 23 with a homer and 11 doubles for the NCAA Division II school.

Scott Serigstad, a sophomore right-handed pitcher, was 1-1 with two saves and a 2.60 ERA in 17 relief appearances for Grand Canyon University last season, while projected starting shortstop Jeff Nellis played 17 games at the University of Nevada in 2014.

Chris Blasing, a sophomore who had two homers and five RBIs in 32 at-bats last season, is set to start in center field, where he was used as a late-innings defensive replacement last season. Altobelli called him one of the best defensive outfielders he has ever had.

Vidro anchors the pitching staff as the No. 1 starter, while Serigstad, sophomore returner Tanner Murphy and sophomore Cody Maples are slated to round out the starting staff.

Last year’s top three starters — the Hill brothers and Vidro — were responsible for 30 wins. But Altobelli knows that that kind of production, and the ability to eat innings, doesn’t come around often.

“Our pitching will be more by-committee this year,” said Altobelli, who has won two state titles in the last six seasons and has amassed a 215-88-1 record the last seven years (a .709 winning percentage). “We were spoiled by the Hill brothers, who we could roll out for seven or eight innings every start last year.”

Expected to bolster Purpura in the pen are Stephen Corona, Casey Costello, Daniel Eppenbach, a bounce-back from San Diego State, James McClellan, Jack Pabich and Dylan Stablein.

Altobelli said 6-foot-7 freshman Ryan Randel, whose fastball had reached 90 mph in the preseason, is battling tendinitis that could threaten his season.

Cole Rutherford, a 6-foot-4, 225-pounder in his third year in the program, is projected to start at first base, while Estancia High product Tyler Rios and Nick Grimes are battling for the nod at second base, Altobelli said.

Rios, the 2013 Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa Player of the Year and a four-year starting varsity shortstop for the Eagles, was a walk-on at UC Riverside last season.

Chaneng Varela , who played 24 games at Riverside City College in 2013, could contribute at shortstop, second or third base, Altobelli said.

Backing up in the outfield is sophomore newcomer Stefan Panayiotou, a left-handed hitter with a strong throwing arm who could also see time at designated hitter, as well as freshmen Chris Prescott and Jeff Belger.

Jack Pulcheon and Alec Friedman provide depth behind the plate and could also see time at DH, Altobelli said.

“I like this team and I think we are coming together,” said Altobelli, who figures to be waving more runners around third base after last year’s team hit 24 homers, including a state-leading 11 by Chris Iriart, who is now at the University of Houston. “I think we’ll have to manufacture more runs and playing more little ball [this season].”

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