Mt. SAC Baseball Pays Tribute to Fallen OCC Coach Altobelli; Defeat Pirates, 5-3

Mt. SAC Baseball vs OCC
Zack Bromstead closed the door on the Pirates. Photo by DavesSportsImage

(Walnut, CA) Although the Mounties defeated the Orange Coast College (OCC) Pirates on Saturday (Feb. 1), the most important outcome was the funds raised for the family of legendary OCC Head Coach John Altobelli.  Less than a week ago, the highly admired and respected Altobelli along with his wife Keri and daughter Alyssa, were involved is the tragic helicopter crash that killed nine people.  The reguarly scheduled game was played with heavy hearts, but helped raise over $1,200 on site (not including Go Fund Me Online Donations) for the Altobelli Family.  

Donations are still being accepted for the Altobelli family through the Go Fund Me web page that can be found at:  https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-the-altobelli-family

A moment of silence was held prior to the game at Mazmanian Field, which Mt. SAC won, 5-3.

"Saturday's game was obviously emotional for Orange Coast and but it was a great environment, with a good crowd," said Mt. SAC Head Coach John Knott. "They (OCC) have been through a lot as a team, but they didn't quit.

"OCC has great community support and they had a nice crowd in attendance. It was incredible."

Prior to the accident, Altobelli was preparing his team for 2020 season and defense of their 2019 CCCAA State Championship.  Altobelli, who spent the past 28 years as head coach at OCC, was named the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) National Coach of the Year, las season.  He has also guided the Pirates to state titles in 2009, 2014 and 2015.

The Mounties (5-0) rallied and scored all five of their runs in the seventh inning to remain undefeated on the young season. OCC fell to 0-3.

Sophomore catcher Omar Veloz (2-4, Dbl., Run, RBI) led the Mounties with two hits, while sophomore shortstop Nick Lugo (1-3, R, 2 RBIs) highlighted the 5-run seventh with a two-run single to right field.

"Lugo has played well defensively for us and has had some solid at bats and was able to capitalize in the inning," Knott said.

Freshman left fielder Cole Jordan (1-3, Dbl., R, SB) and sophomore designated hitter Dylan Zavala (1-4, R, RBI) had the other two Mt. SAC hits.

Sophomore right hander Noah Woodall (1-0) picked up his first win of the season, pitching 2 ⅓ innings, allowing a hit, walk and striking out four OCC batters.

"OCC struck first and Woodall did a good job minimizing damage," Knott said.

Mountie starter Tyler Frazier allowed the first Pirate run of the game, but struck out four. In addition to Woodall, Josh Ward, Cedric Girard and Zack Bromstead pitched in relief.

Bromstead closed the door on the Pirates with the final four outs and struck out one batter, for his first save of the season.

"With the tying run on base and the go-ahead run at the plate, Zack did a great job in the eighth," Knott added. "I was impressed with his three up and three down in the ninth."

Bromstead, who was making his second appearance of the season, got the final out on a pop up to first in the eighth.  In the ninth, he retired the Pirates in order, with a strikeout to end the game.

Mt. SAC will try to keep its perfect record intact with a game at Mazmanian Field, on Tuesday (Feb. 4), as they host San Bernardino Valley College (2-4), at 5:00 pm.

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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.