12 Chargers Earn Both All-OEC and CCCBCA All-Academic Selections

CYPRESS, CA - The Orange Empire Conference has released the All-Conference teams for the 2026 baseball season. Cypress has six total selections; Rocky Palacio, Derek Gonzales, and Tyler Smith were named to the First Team. Justin Tillar, Rudy Carlos, and Mason Miles have been named to the Second Team.

Rocky Palacio [SO] - Starting Pitcher, All-OEC First Team

Palacio led the OEC in wins this season with 8. Pitching the most innings out of anyone of the roster and making the second most starts, he took only 1 loss for the entire season. He had the 5th lowest ERA in the conference, posting a 3.78. Palacio also had the 5th most strikeouts across the conference with 51.

Palacio was also named to the CCCBCA All-Academic Team for 2026, earning a 3.59 GPA.

Derek Gonzalez [SO] - Outfielder, All-OEC First Team

In 37 games played, Gonzalez posted a .344 batting average. He ended the regular season with 25 RBIs, 32 runs, and 45 total hits. On defense, he had a 98.6% fielding percentage, making just one error the entire year.

Tyler Smith [FR] - Infielder, All-OEC First Team

Smith ended his season batting .327, recording 54 total hits. He was tied for 4th most home runs in the conference with 8. He brought in 33 runs and scored 46 of his own. Smith also had 24 extra base hits on the year. He had a 96% fielding percentage this season.

Justin Tillar [SO] - First Baseman, All-OEC Second Team

Batting .303 on the season, Tillar hit the 3rd most home runs in the conference with 10. His total of 32 home runs across two seasons ties him with the most home runs hit by any Cypress College baseball player in history. Tillar tied for the most games played on the team this year, making 40 appearances. He ended the regular season with 43 hits, 24 RBIs, and 40 runs. Tillar recorded a 98.6% fielding percentage over at first base. This is his second consecutive year earning All-OEC Honors as he was named to the First Team last season. 

Rudy Carlos [FR] - Relief Pitcher, All-OEC Second Team

Carlos tallied 6 saves on the year, making him the OEC leader in that category. He is tied for the 5th most saves in the state. He also had a win this season. In 29 innings pitched, he had an ERA of 2.12. Carlos struck out 22 batters on the year and was a key piece of Cypress's relief rotation down the stretch.

Mason Miles [SO] - Relief Pitcher, All-OEC Second Team

While facing almost 100 battes, Miles ended the season with a 2.28 ERA in 23 innings pitched. In his 13 appearances, he recorded 26 strikeouts and gave up no home runs. He was one of the main pitchers to close games when the Chargers needed it the most, recording the final outs in Cypress's final regular season matchup against Orange Coast. He struck out all 3 batters he faced and aided greatly in the Charger's playoff push. 

Jackson El-Farra [SO] - First Baseman/Designated Hitter, CCCBCA All-Academic Team

El-Farra ended the year with a 4.00 GPA, the highest on the roster. In high school, he earned numerous academic honors such as being a 4-time Mustang Academic Achievement recipient, 4-year Scholar Athlete, and 4-year Principal's Honor Roll. On the field, he hit .286 in 13 games played. El-Farra also posted a 100% fielding percentage, making no errors on the year.

Eli Kasiski [SO] - Pitcher/Outfielder, CCCBCA All-Academic Team

Kasiski ended the year with a 3.85 GPA, the second highest on the team. Serving as a pitching and outfield combo, Kasiski tallied 2 stolen bases on the year and batted .200. In 6 pitching appearances, he gave up 6 hits and struck out 4 batters.

Travis Curry [SO] - Infielder, CCCBCA All-Academic Team

Curry had a 3.82 GPA. In 156 at bats, he hit .314 and drove in 27 runs. He is one of Cypress's strongest defenders on the infield, posting a 94% fielding percentage. Playing in 39 games during the regular season, his consistency at the plate proved to be one of his strong suits.

Nick Dunch [SO] - Outfielder, CCCBCA All-Academic Team

Dunch had a 3.78 GPA. In 13 games played, he stole 2 bases and drove in 2 runs. He scored 6 runs of his own on the season.

Daniel Villagomez [FR] - Pitcher, CCCBCA All-Academic Team

Villagomez earned a 3.56 GPA. He was already a 4-time Honor Roll student in high school. In 6.2 innings pitched this season, he tallied 6 strikeouts. 

UP NEXT: The Chargers will face the Pasadena City Lancers at Citrus College on Friday, May 1st at 11:00AM. Brackets, game times, and ticket purchases can be found through the 3C2A Website here. 

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