Following a 10-5 season in the Coast Conference South that placed them runner-up behind San Jose City College, the Gavilan College softball team was awarded the No. 15 seed in the upcoming regional playoffs, scheduled to begin this weekend.
The Rams (15-26) will travel to No. 2 Sacramento City College (41-7) for a best-of-three series beginning Saturday at 2 p.m. Game 2 will begin Sunday at 12 p.m., while Game 3 will follow, if necessary.
Back in late March, Gavilan played in a doubleheader against Sacramento City. Although the Gilroy college dropped both games, 8-0 and 10-2, manager Nikki Dequin and the Rams feel comfortable with their playoff opponent.
"We know what to expect and we have a little bit more confidence going into it," Dequin said.
"It's been so up and down for us (this season). We're all a little confident going into this game, knowing we're playing a team we've had some success against."
Despite the seemingly lopsided outcomes, the Rams battled Sacramento City in both contests earlier this season. In the team's 8-0 loss, for instance, the game was scoreless through five and a half innings before Sacramento posted an eight-spot in the home half of the frame.
"The first five innings, we played strong," Dequin said. "It's just about finishing those last two innings."
A series win over Sac City would advance Gavilan to the second round and a likely date with top-seeded College of the Siskiyous (41-3).
Gavilan's postseason berth marks just the second time the Rams have qualified to the playoffs in the last 25 years. Last year's bid - the first postseason appearance by Gavilan since 1984 - saw the Rams earn the No. 9 seed, but fall to No. 8 Merced in the first round.
Both the first and second round of the Northern California regional consists of a best-of-three series. Surviving both rounds ensures a top-four standing in the regional, as well as a trip to the CCCAA State Tournament on May 15-18.
The Rams won't have to travel too far if they qualify to state, however. The Coast Conference South is actually hosting the tournament this year, and all games will be held at the Salinas Sports Complex, while the city of Gilroy will be hosting the teams in attendance.
Meanwhile, seven members of the Gavilan softball team were given all-league honors recently, including first team selections Audra Brown (C), Danielle Scibuola (OF), Melinda Ortiz (P) and Angelica Galindo (IF).
Second team selections included Mikhaela Osuna (1B), Ashley Gamboa (IF) and Haley MacFarlane (OF).
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