Gavilan softball team will play at Merced Saturday to start
best-of-three series in regional playoffs
After wrapping up their season with a 14-9 record in the Coast Conference – South, the No. 9 Gavilan Rams softball team will visit No. 8 Merced College Saturday for a best-of-three series in the first round of the regional playoffs.
The two teams will play at 2 p.m. Saturday, with Game 2 at noon on Sunday. Game 3 will be played at 2 p.m. on Sunday, if necessary.
“I figured we’d be right in the middle of the pack,” manager Nikki Dequin said regarding her team’s seeding. “As far as our confidence level is, the girls want to play. They want to play in the state tournament.”
The Rams, which haven’t qualified for the postseason since 1984, defeated first-place San Jose City College 6-4 last Tuesday to clinch second place in the Coast Conference – South. With a 14-9 record, the Rams are the winningest softball team in Gavilan history.
Earlier this season, Gavilan and Merced met up at a tournament in Merced, and the Rams took the match-up, 7-2.
Both the first and second round of the regional consists of a best-of-three series. Surviving both rounds ensures a top-four standing in the regional, as well as a ticket to the CCCAA State Tournament on May 15-18.
Along with receiving their first playoff berth in 24 years, Gavilan received a slew of first-team selections as well, as Julie Broyer (INF), Danielle Hernandez (P), Alicia Reese (C), Audra Brown (1B) and Danielle Scibuola (OF) were named to the All-Conference team.
Mikhaela Osuna (OF) and Amanda Rosevear (UTL) were named to the second team.
GAVILAN BASEBALL
Gavilan baseball continued to struggle as the season winds down, losing 31-11 to Ohlone College Saturday in Gilroy. The defeat was the second in a row for the Rams after defeating Chabot College in Hayward 9-6. Gavilan lost 10-1 on Thursday, at home, to Hartnell College.
The team will try to finish the season with a winning streak as the Rams face San Jose City College Tuesday at 6 p.m. before completing the schedule Thursday at 2 p.m. at College of San Mateo.
