Three Teams Ranked as Orange Empire Conference Softball Play Heats Up

The Orange Empire Conference (OEC) has three softball teams ranked as we enter the third week of conference play.

No. 6 Cypress leads the way with an OEC record of 4-0 after defeating Santa Ana 9-4 on Friday. The Chargers are 11-2 overall and led by sophomore Emily Rush, who leads the OEC in ERA (0.66) and homeruns (4) to go along with six wins in the circle.

The Fullerton Hornets check in as the No. 10 ranked team in the state after a 9-3 start. With a record of 3-1 in OEC play, the Hornets are currently second in the standings. Dallas Garcia and Allyson Fuentes have been lights out for the Hornets as the pair of pitchers boast sub two earned run averages.

The Santiago Canyon Hawks are just inside the rankings at No. 19 with a record of 6-8. The Hawks have played one of the toughest schedules in the state with eight of their opponents ranked in the top 20. Despite their ranking, SCC has started 0-2 in OEC play and will have to work their way back into the mix.

Santa Ana currently sits in third place with a record of 6-8 overall and 2-1 in OEC play. The Dons picked up a couple wins against Saddleback and Riverside City before suffering their first conference loss to Cypress.

Golden West, Orange Coast and Riverside City are in a three-way tie for fourth as each team has gone 1-2 in the first three weeks of OEC play. Saddleback follows close behind at 1-3 while SCC trails at 0-2 with plenty of games to make up.

OEC Standings · State Rankings

Release by Cammie Lewis, Santa Ana SID