SEVEN HORNETS EARN ALL-OEC 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