SANTA ANA - The Dons dropped in the Orange Empire Conference standings following their 6-3 loss to Orange Coast College. A win today would have moved the Dons into a five-way tie for second place, but the loss now drops them to a tie for sixth place with Golden West College. Orange Coast, on the other hand, claimed sole possession of second place with the win.

Orange Coast (19-8, 7-5) built an early 4-0 lead with two runs in each of the third and fourth innings. An RBI-single and a passed ball accounted for the Pirates first two runs while a two-run triple made the lead 4-0.

The Dons (18-8, 5-7) cut the lead to 4-1 in the fifth when Blake Walker, who drew a leadoff walk, scored on Tyler Madrid's infield single. But the Pirates would get that run back in the sixth on Cristian Salina's solo home run.

JB Bryant cut into the Pirates lead in the seventh inning when he scored on a passed ball before Geoff Schuller brought the Dons within two runs at 5-3 in the eighth when he scored on a RBI-ground out by Derek Meddings.

But the Pirates would add an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning before retiring the Dons in order in the bottom of the frame.

Matt Blanchard (6-2) took the loss as he allowed five runs, four earned, on eight hits over 6.2 innings of work. Kyle Dowdy (4-1) got the win for the Pirates as he held the Dons to one run on seven hits over five innings. David Wilson (3) got a four-out save as he retired all four batters he faced.

The two teams wrap up their season series on Saturday at Orange Coast College. First pitch is at 12:00 p.m.