Often a exciting second-to-last chapter that sprinkles drama
into each baseball season, the final week before the playoffs
instead might as well be a cool-down lap for Sobrato and Live
Oak
CAMPBELL — Typically an exciting second-to-last chapter that sprinkles drama into each baseball season, the final week before the playoffs instead might as well be a cool-down lap for Sobrato and Live Oak.
Both Morgan Hill clubs will be ready to start another race next week.
They all but printed out invites to the Central Coast Section playoffs Friday, collecting wins that should solidify spots in the 16-team Division II and Division III tournaments announced this weekend.
With a 5-1 victory at Santa Teresa, the Bulldogs (12-13 overall, 11-8 league) clinched automatic entry as a top-four finisher in the Mount Hamilton Division.
Live Oak (14-11, 9-10), winner of a thrilling 9-6 decision at Westmont, will be the most attractive pick for the eighth and final playoff spot reserved for the Blossom Valley Athletic League. The Santa Teresa Division receives two berths, and the West Valley Division one. The Acorns can still get leap-frogged by sixth-place Pioneer in the Mount Hamilton this week, but the Mustangs will likely be overlooked because of their sub-.500 overall record.
Sobrato and Live Oak’s final two games probably won’t make for good theater. Both teams, however, still have seedings to think about.
“We still have a lot to play for,” said Live Oak manager Mark Cummins, whose team had a nearly two-decade long streak of playoff appearances snapped in 2009. “We had 42 CCS points a year ago when we missed it. We’ll have at least 47 1/2 this time around.
“We want to raise our seeding level, maybe get to host a first-round [Division III] game if we can. We want to continue playing good baseball this week.”
The Acorns scored five runs in the final inning to put away Westmont (13-11-1, 9-9-1) Friday. Jakob Conlan singled, doubled and drove in two runs to lead the rally, Ken Hall added two singles and an RBI, and Rich Martinez plated two runs as well.
Junior Cody Van Aken collected two runs, a hit and an RBI and also pitched the final three innings to get the win. Van Aken (4-3) struck out one and allowed three hits.
Live Oak will get a final shot at division champion Leland at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sarich Field. The Acorns have another home game scheduled Friday against Leigh for Senior Day.
“I’m glad we get to play (Leland) this late,” Cummins said. “If you can beat a good team like that this late in the season it’s a big feather in your hat. I feel like we gave one away against them at home last time. We’re going to try and get one back.”
Sobrato will play its final home contest against Branham on Wednesday before visiting Pioneer the next day.
The Bulldogs received a big lift Friday from Alex Hagiperos, who batted 3 for 4 with a double and three RBIs. Freshman Tanner Di Sibio added a sacrifice fly during a three-run fourth inning, and Deric Huron made a diving catch in center field to help starter Chris Bradley get out of a jam.
Bradley was solid on the mound once again, helping his team win in seven innings following back-to-back losses in 10.
“It was probably our best game of the season. It’s good to see a complete all-around effort like that this late in the season,” Sobrato manager Shorty Gutierrez said. “We needed a big win like this after those two losses.”
The Bulldogs are tied with Santa Teresa (15-9, 11-8) for second place, a position that led to Sobrato earning a No. 2 playoff seed. The Bulldogs reached the Division II championship game where they lost 4-1 to Los Gatos.
The Central Coast Section playoff schedule is as follows:
FIRST ROUND
Division I: May 19 at home sites
Division II: May 20 at home sites
Division III: May 19 at home sites
QUARTERFINALS
All tournaments are scheduled to resume May 22 at sites to be determined.
SEMIFINALS
Division I: May 26 at neutral site
Division II: May 27 at neutral site
Division III: May 25 at neutral site
FINALS
All championships are slated for May 29.
