SEVEN HORNETS EARN ALL-OEC HONORS
It was another successful season for Fullerton College as seven standout Hornets earned All-Orange Empire Conference honors.
It was another successful season for Fullerton College as seven standout Hornets earned All-Orange Empire Conference honors.
FC First Team
Sophomore right-handed pitcher Sage Nelson earned First Team All-OEC recognition after serving as a workhorse on the mound all season. Nelson posted a 5-3 record in 13 appearances (66 innings) with a 4.23 ERA and ranked tied for second in the OEC with 52 strikeouts.
Freshman outfielder Sean Green also garnered First Team honors after becoming a staple in the Hornet lineup. Green hit .327 on the season and led the team in home runs, while adding 9 doubles, a triple, 33 RBI, and 34 runs scored.
FC Second Team
Freshman right-handed reliever Murdoch Taylor was lights out for Fullerton earning Second Team All-OEC honors. In 16 appearances (19.2 innings), Taylor recorded a 1-1 record with five saves, tied for second in the conference. His 0.92 ERA ranked as the best among closers in the state, and he added 28 strikeouts.
Sophomore outfielder Jake Starr had a breakout season at the plate leading the Hornets with a .376 batting average in 39 games. Starr also showcased his speed on the basepaths swiping a team-high 10 bases while tallying 40 runs and 31 RBI.
Freshman infielder Coen Goeas impressed in limited action batting .386 in 25 games with 13 RBI and 24 runs scored.
Sophomore infielder Luke Viola was a steady presence all season appearing in all 40 games. Known as one of the top defensive players in the conference, Viola also contributed offensively with a .314 batting average, 32 runs, and 35 RBI, along with 6 doubles and 6 stolen bases.
Freshman outfielder Vinny Hudson rounded out the group with a strong campaign in center field. Hudson hit .325 in 34 games, driving in 18 runs and scoring 26 while adding 3 home runs and 6 doubles.
2026 ALL-ORANGE EMPIRE CONFERENCE TEAM
Player of the Year – Ken Tomitaka, Santa Ana College, Sophomore
Pitcher of the Year – Jorge Rodriguez, Riverside City College, Sophomore
Coach of the Year – Tom Nilles, Santa Ana College
FIRST TEAM ALL-OEC
PITCHERS
Rocky Palacio, Cypress, Sophomore
Jake Valenzuela, Riverside, Sophomore
Zach Ireland, Santa Ana, Freshman
Ryan Jenkins, Riverside, Sophomore
Sage Nelson, Fullerton, Sophomore
RELIEF PITCHERS
Charlie Ruggles, Riverside, Freshman
CATCHER
Carlos Morales, Santana, Sophomore
FIRST BASE
Matt Henning, Saddleback, Sophomore
Ben Melendrez, Santa Ana, Sophomore
INFIELDERS
Jack Mueller, Santa Ana, Sophomore
Cole Belfanti, Golden West, Sophomore
Bubba Heidler, Riverside, Sophomore
Aiden Marquez, Santa Ana, Freshman
Tyler Smith, Cypress, Freshman
OUTFIELDERS
Evan Reiter, Santa Ana, Freshman
Nikko Paoletto, Santa Ana, Freshman
Derek Gonzales, Cypress, Sophomore
Sean Green, Fullerton, Freshman
Levi Maddela, Golden West, Sophomore
DESIGNATED HITTER
Nick Salmon, Golden West, Freshman
UTILITY
Grant Gray, Riverside, Sophomore
SECOND TEAM ALL-OEC
PITCHERS
Andrew Phillips, Santa Ana, Freshman
Landon Gordon, Saddleback, Freshman
RELIEF PITCHERS
Rudy Carlos, Cypress, Freshman
Cristian Brewster, Golden West, Freshman
Murdoch Taylor, Fullerton, Freshman
Mason Miles, Cypress, Sophomore
CATCHER
Max Senesac, Golden West, Sophomore
FIRST BASEMAN
Justin Tillar, Cypress, Sophomore
Alan Choo, Orange Coast, Sophomore
INFIELDERS
Jacob Hudson, Saddleback, Sophomore
Coen Goeas, Fullerton, Freshman
Luis Sosa, Riverside, Sophomore
Luke Viola, Fullerton, Sophomore
Ryan Farias, Orange Coast, Freshman
Zach Fany, Golden West, Freshman
OUTFIELDERS
Jake Starr, Fullerton, Sophomore
Gavin Egan, Riverside, Freshman
Wes Hickey, Saddleback, Freshman
Vinny Hudson, Fullerton, Freshman
DESIGNATED HITTER
Aiden Erlandsen, Riverside, Freshman
UTILITY
Matt Fox, Golden West, Sophomore
