OCC softball 2025 season recap: The program’s most successful season in over 30 years

The Orange Coast College softball team had their best season in over 30 years, capping it off with a state championship berth, their first appearance since 1993.

The Pirates finished with an overall record of 33-9, and an Orange Empire Conference (OEC) record of 15-3.

“It definitely takes a special group of girls to accomplish what we did,” Pirates sophomore third baseman Jasmyn Morales said. “Our sophomores really emphasized us to be the team who we are. It really takes a lot of dedication and just hard work from each and every one of the girls.”

Morales was awarded the Orange Empire Conference Player of the Year, and made the 3C2A South All-State Team. Morales led the conference in home runs, finished second in runs batted in, third in slugging percentage and second in extra base hits.

Morales said her work ethic is the reason why she was able to have success this season.

“I always put my all in practices,” Morales said. “A lot of them [players and coaches] say I’m very strict or strategic to how I practice. If I mess up I always try to fix it right away.”

Besides Morales, three other Pirates received end of the year awards: Sophomore second baseman Mackenzie Koshi, sophomore pitcher and designated hitter Kelsey McNair and freshman pitcher Daniella Sanchez.

Koshi won the 2025 Cal JC Rawlings Gold Glove Award at second base. According to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), recipients of the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were selected by a NFCA Cal JC membership vote.

Koshi finished the season with a .983 fielding percentage, with 76 putouts and 99 assists.

McNair made the 3C2A All-Southern Team and was selected to the All-OEC First Team. McNair led the Pirates in batting average at .405, was first in on-base percentage at .490 and was fifth in the conference in batting average.

McNair also led the Pirates in earned run average (ERA) at 0.90, and led the state with seven saves.

Sanchez made the 3C2A All-Southern Team, 2025 3C2A Championship All-Tournament Team and was selected to the All-OEC First Team. Sanchez led all starting pitchers in the conference in ERA at 2.23 and posted a 13-1 record.

The Pirates also had three All-OEC Second Team members: Sophomore center fielder Reyna Hernandez, freshman shortstop Isabel Lopez and freshman right fielder Olivia Pedraza.

Hernandez finished with five home runs, third most on the Pirates and fifth most in the conference, and also led the team and was fourth in the conference with 14 stolen bases.

Lopez hit six home runs, second most on the Pirates and tied for third in the conference. Lopez was also a solid contributor at shortstop with a conference leading 124 assists.

Pedraza led the Pirates and was eighth in the OEC with 50 total hits, and was second on the team in batting average at .394.

Pedraza was also named to the 2025 3C2A Championship All-Tournament Team following OCC’s loss in the state championship tournament. 

Pedraza had a three-run home run to go along with four RBIs in a win over Modesto Junior College in the first round of the state championship tournament.

Although the Pirates didn’t win the state title, Pedraza was proud of the team for making a state championship appearance.

“We didn’t get the outcome we wanted,” Pedraza said. “We still did pretty good, but it’s a little sad because we all were so close to our sophomores. We’re still proud of what we did.”

Pirates head coach Jodie Kiaha returned to OCC in 2014, after a two-year coaching stint with the UCLA Bruins.

The Pirates’ 2025 season marks the most successful season under Kiaha.

Morales believes Kiaha played a big part in changing the culture of OCC softball.

“Coach Jodie is definitely the real heart of the team,” Morales said. “Coach Jodie puts her all into the program. I can’t think of a time where she just half-asses something. She gives 100 percent in getting what the team needs or what we [players] need.”