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SPORTS
> GAVILAN COLLEGE
Rams edge SJCC, clinch playoff berth
San Jose
The Gavilan softball team will certainly not be backing their way into the playoffs.
The Rams, which haven't qualified for the postseason since 1984, defeated first-place San Jose City College 6-4 Tuesday and clinched second place in the Coast Conference - South.
Wrapping up the regular season with a 14-9 conference record, Gavilan will head to the first round regional for the first time in 24 years. No matter what happens in the playoffs, the Rams will finish the year as the winningest softball team in Gavilan history.
"It's kind of huge for us," manager Nikki Dequin said. "We beat San Jose City, who are one of the best teams in the state and the best in our league, so this was a big win for us.
"Our girls, after the last time we played them, we knew we could beat them. This shows us that we can battle some of the best teams in the state and win."
The Rams were 0-2 against SJCC coming into the contest. After losing the first meeting 5-0 on Feb. 26, Gavilan lost a heartbreaker to SJCC 5-4 in extra innings on March 18.
On Tuesday, though, Gavilan received home runs from Julie Broyer and Amanda Rosevear, and powered their way to plating all six runs in the second, third and fourth innings.
Rosevear's two-run homer in the second tied the game up at 2-all. After SJCC responded with two more runs in the bottom half of the second to take a 4-2 lead, Rosevear connected again for an RBI double and sparked a three-run third.
Gavilan's trio of runs in the third gave the Rams a one-run edge - a lead they did not relinquish.
Broyer hit a solo homer in the fourth for a little added insurance, as starting pitcher Danielle Hernandez kept SJCC at bay.
The Hollister product pitched all seven innings and allowed four runs on 10 hits to get the win.
Broyer, Rosevear and Mikhaela Osuna all provided two hits for Gavilan, while Audra Brown had one hit but two RBIs.
The first round regional will start a week from Saturday on May 3 and 4. Dequin said she'll know later this week where and when they'll be playing, not to mention their opponent.
With 16 teams from the South qualifying, Dequin said she expects the Rams to earn a 7- or 8-seed, which would supply Gavilan with a home game in the first round.
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.
The Rams will play their first-round opponent on Saturday, May 3.
GAVL 023 100 0 - 6 8 1
SJCC 220 000 0 - 4 10 3
Free Lance Sports Staff
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