Aguirre and Mendoza named Orange Empire Conference Softball Coaches of the Year for past spring

FULLERTON - At the Orange Empire Conference meeting on Thursday, it was decided that softball co-head coaches Crystal Aguirre and Marian "Speedy" Mendoza would be named the OEC Coaches of the Year.

The Hornet softball team had a very successful season last spring winning the Orange Empire Conference for the first time since Fullerton won it in back-to-back seasons in 2000 and 2001.

FC players reaped the rewards of winning the conference earning 8 All-Orange Empire Conference awards. It was the best season for head coaches Crystal Aguirre and Marian "Speedy" Mendoza, who took the team to heights it had not seen in over twenty years, winning the Orange Empire Championship with an overall record of 21-5. For their efforts, the coaches were named as the OEC "Coaching Staff of the Year".

Many of the softball program's players had great success. Sophomore ace Jessica Lopez was honored as the OEC "Most Valuable Pitcher". She was voted All-State and as an All-American. Lopez was also voted the NFCA JUCO "Pitcher of the Year". Freshman catcher Alondra Natera was named as the OEC "Defensive Player of the Year". She was also tabbed for the All-State team. Freshman shortstop Dee Ramirez and freshman left fielder Miranda Rooney earned first team OEC honors. They both earned All-State honors. Sophomore Natalie Gonzalez (2B), freshman Madison Pevehouse (1B), and freshman Madison Ferguson (RF) were second team All-OEC selections. 

The Orange County Fellowship of Christian Athletes inducted Hornet softball coach Marian "Speedy" Mendoza into their Hall of Fame this past July. The head coaching duo of Aguirre and Mendoza is paying off for the program. A proven track record for success, they have taken the Hornets to the playoffs in five straight seasons since 2015 (no playoffs in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19). Both coaches were named the 2019 and 2021 "OEC Co-Coaches of the Year" and the "State Co-Coaches of the Year" in 2019.

Aguirre and Mendoza's softball program continues to shine bright on and off the field. They focus on their student-athletes' classroom success as well as winning awards for team academics.

Aguirre and Mendoza also maintain the biggest program on campus when it comes to community outreach. The team helps feed the homeless, gives out clothes to people in need, and goes from house to house in the neighborhood helping to clean up yards. It is more than just winning for these two coaches- it's about character building and moving the players on to the next level. They truly care about the all-around success of their student-athletes.

Coach Aguirre was recently hired as a full-time faculty member in August, and the Hornets are very happy to have her on board preserving this fantastic coaching duo.

Each fall and spring, the Orange Empire Conference honors deserving coaches within the conference from all sports that have exemplified integrity, good sportsmanship, leadership, and inspiration.

(Phil Thurman, Fullerton College)