SOFTBALL: TWO HORNETS MAKE ALL-OEC

With the 2015 regular season in the books, the Orange Empire Conference coaches all gathered at Santa Ana College to select the All-Orange Empire Conference Teams.

Along with First and Second Team honors, the coaches awarded the Pitcher of the Year honor to Cypress College's Taylor Pierce before selecting Santa Ana College's Emily Whitecavage the Most Valuable Player. Cypress Head Coach Brad Pickler was named the Coach of the Year after guiding his team to the conference championship.

Pierce posted a 9-3 record in 11 OEC starts this season with a 2.01 earned run average. She averaged 7.49 strikeouts per game as she recorded 82 strikeouts in 76.2 innings pitched. Pierce went 2-1 against second place Santa Ana and third place Saddleback College while going 3-0 against fourth place Santiago Canyon College.

Whitecavage led the way for the Dons as she batted .533 in conference play with a .641 on-base percentage. Among her 32 hits were seven doubles, two triples and four home runs. The sophomore centerfielder also drove in 11 runs while batting lead-off while stealing 25 bases.

Pickler's Coach of the Year honors came on the heels of the 20th conference championship for Cypress College. Pickler's Chargers finished OEC play with an 18-3 record, two games ahead of second place Santa Ana.

For the Hornets, freshman pitcher Brigid Ruiz was voted 1st team All-Orange Empire Conference finishing the regular season with a 15-10 overall record. Ruiz maintained a 2.65 ERA, with 117 strikeouts and 45 walks. Making 2nd team honors was sophomore left fielder Shaylynn Chapman who batted .321, with 15 RBI, 24 runs, and 7 stolen bases.

2015 All-Orange Empire Conference Softball

Pitcher of the Year
Taylor Pierce, So., Cypress College

Most Valuable Player
Emily Whitecavage, So., Santa Ana College

Coach of the Year
Brad Pickler, Cypress College

First Team

Second Team