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Baseball team picked fifth in first ever OEC media day
Jan 16, 2009
The Irvine Valley baseball team was chosen fifth in a poll by coaches and media at the first ever Orange Empire Conference media day hosted at Irvine Valley College on Friday.
The event, which was put on to highlight the strength of what is arguably the best community college baseball conference in America, featured coaching staff representatives from all eight teams.
They each gave a 10-minute preview of their respective teams.
The media day was filmed and will be broadcast on Irvine Valley's website later this month.
Orange Empire Conference teams have won 12 of the last 18 community college state titles. The conference is loaded with talent each and every year and the head coaches are some of the best in the nation.
Irvine Valley, which finished fifth in the coaches/media poll behind Santa Ana, Cypress, Orange Coast and Riverside, will be trying to build on its success from last season.
The Lasers finished with a record of 32-17. It was the first time in program history that the team won 30 games.
IVC also finished in third place in the OEC with a record of 13-8. Both were program bests.
The Lasers hosted and won a regional series and advanced to the Super Regionals for the second time in four years.
Sophomore pitcher Dean Persinger was named an All-American and sophomore starting pitcher Danny Heben was picked as an all-Southern California player.
"Last year you are winning 32 games for the first time ever and that group of guys gets to leave and look back and say we were the first group to ever do that," Irvine Valley Coach Kent Madole said. "We haven't won a conference title yet or a state title, but we do feel like we are headed in the right direction. We are excited about this group of guys and the success they can afford us."
Irvine Valley returns two of its top three starting pitchers from last season in left-hander Jared Haller and right-hander Matt Reyes. The IVC coaching staff is also expecting big things from sophomore left-hander Daniel Cabuling, who missed most of last season with an injury.
Four starting position players return. They are Connor Rhoads, Corey Thibault, Vince Hungerford and Sean Williams.
Rhoads, who started at first base for IVC last season, has moved behind the plate. Thibault can play catcher, in the outfield or be a designated hitter for the Lasers. Hungerford will shift from third base to his more natural shortstop and Williams returns at second base.
Incoming freshman players Madole is excited about include Cal State Fullerton bounceback infielder Colton Hamill and outfielder Thomas Mobley.
"Last year we didn't really dazzle anybody with exceptional talent," Madole said. "We kind of called ourselves the blue collar crew and I think it is going to be more of the same this year. The mentality of coming through the gate, punching the clock and getting to work. We are going to need to be very fundamental and very sound."
IVC opens the 2009 season with a home game on Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. against Long Beach City College.
The following are the results from the coaches/media poll taken at the first ever Orange Empire Conference Media Day at Irvine Valley College. Numbers in parenthesis are first place votes.
1. Santa Ana 107 points (10)
2. Cypress 99 points (4)
3. Orange Coast 79 points
4. Riverside 58 points
5. Irvine Valley 54 points
6. Saddleback 47 points
7. Golden West 40 points
8. Fullerton 22 points
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