The 2024 Orange Empire Conference Softball schedule began on Tuesday with all eight teams starting a new format schedule.
Each team will play each other once in a three game series, all in one week, which mirrors the OEC baseball schedule.
No. 2 ranked Cypress entered as one of the favorites as usual with a record of 11-1 before collecting their first OEC win with a 13-4 run rule victory over Santa Ana.
The Chargers are led by two returning All-OEC first teamers in Jaylene Duarte and Kaitlyn Reynolds.
Duarte is hitting .455 with 11 runs batted in and nine walks while committing just two errors on the year at shortstop. Reynolds has carried the weight for the Chargers in the circle with an 11-1 record and an 0.82 earned run average. The sophomore is also hitting .359 with 11 RBI and eight walks of her own.
The No. 10 ranked Orange Coast Pirates have had a great start to the season and hit OEC play with a record of 7-1. OCC knocked off Santiago Canyon 7-2 in game one of their opening series.
Pitchers Angela Whitmer and Ruby Fidge have given the Pirates an edge in the circle as both boast earned run averages under 3.00. In addition, the OCC offense has done their job with 62 runs, ranking third in the OEC while playing just 10 games.
Sophomore standout Natalie Lowthers has been the toughest out in the lineup as the catcher/utility player is hitting .433 with 10 RBI.
No. 12 Fullerton will certainly be in the mix for the OEC title as they entered the new season with a 6-2 record. The Hornets hosted Golden West on Tuesday and walked away with a 9-4 win.
After landing on the All-OEC second team in her freshman year, outfielder Jordan Elias started the season red hot. The Hornet leadoff hitter is at the top of the conference in batting average at .593 to go with four walks and four stolen bases.
Fullerton has also returned the reigning Co-Most Valuable Pitcher in Allyson Fuentes, who is 3-1 overall with an ERA of just 0.55 in six appearances.
Riverside City picked up a win on the first day of OEC play, outlasting Saddleback on the road by a score of 2-1.
The Tigers will continue to lean on their 2023 All-OEC second teamer, Chloe Lockhart, who is 4-3 in the circle to start the year.
Golden West will be looking to make some noise in conference play this year as the Rustlers started the season with a 4-2 record before their matchup with Fullerton.
The Rustlers have shown the ability to hit their way to wins as they lead the OEC in batting average and slugging to this point. Sophomore center fielder Shelby Jacobsz is leading the way with a .500 batting average and 11 RBI.
Saddleback is now 4-7 overall following a close loss to RCC on Tuesday.
The Bobcats are hoping that their promising freshmen duo McKenzie Lombard and Alexa Pfutzenreuter can carry them into playoff contention.
The Santiago Canyon Hawks have played one of the toughest preseasons out of anyone with nine of their 13 games being against top 20 ranked teams. The Hawks started their OEC schedule against yet another ranked team in OCC, falling 7-2.
Despite the slow start, SCC will still be a tough out for any team because of their defense and pitching. Sophomore pitcher Madison Lee has posted an ERA of just over 3.00 while Nadeen Kerdiya sits at 0.46 in sox appearances.
Santa Ana has had a tough start but has shown the potential to hit their way out of trouble. Sarah Casey has returned from the 2022 OEC Championship team and has produced in the middle of the lineup with a .385 batting average and four RBI.
The Dons will need to sure up their pitching and defense if they want to make a run this year.
Orange Empire Conference play will continue on Thursday for all eight teams.
Release by Cammie Lewis, Santa Ana