The Moorpark College baseball team (12-7) won the Western State Conference North Championship on April 24 after they swept Oxnard College, improving to (12-7) in conference and currently have an overall record of 24-15.
Entering this game, Moorpark College was in the top three between Allan Hancock and Ventura College and was in hopes on winning their game to give them the championship. With some losses and many wins, the Raiders were able to take home the victory as the Western State Conference North Champions on Oxnard College’s field.
According to the California Community College Athletic Association, Moorpark College, Allen Hancock, Ventura College and Santa Barbara Community College, were ranked in the top four throughout the entire season.
This is the first time in six years that Moorpark College baseball has won a Western State Conference title. Sophomore outfielder and 20-year old Michael Radin was excited for his team to have won this championship. He expressed that he and his teammates worked very hard this season and deserved this victory.
“It felt amazing,” said Radin. “We had two goals this year: first to win a league title and second to make it to state and win it all”.
Radin appreciated the help of the coaches and his teammates throughout the entire season to accomplish what they wanted from the beginning.
“I am very excited for playoffs and we have a great pitching staff that can take us all the way to state,” said Radin. “We are very excited to be a contender in playoffs.”
Even though the Raiders had some losses throughout their season, they showed that with dedication they can beat some of the best teams in California.
The Raiders won against some of their biggest opponents including Allan Hancock (8-5), winning both of their recent games against Santa Barbara (3-0) and (7-2) and winning against their rival team, Ventura (5-2).
Since Moorpark won both of their games against Santa Barbara, they just needed to win against Oxnard College to seize the championship. They knew going into their game that they could win, but they still played with ardor.
The Raiders had their Sophomore Day on April 26. On a team of 29, there are 15 sophomore players who are transferring to universities. One player that is transferring is 20-year-old left-hand pitcher Andrew Nardi. He will receive a full-ride to the University of Arizona. Next season the team will have many new players, but many will be returning as well.
The Raiders will be moving on to the playoffs, and the date and time is to be announced. If the Raiders continue onto the playoffs they will be traveling to Fresno City College from May 26 to 28.
