Glads swept in playoffs

Playoff baseball is a tournament in which a team and/or a player can create a legendary legacy, or begin to fortify one.

Some consider it a second chance; a subsequent season with an opportunity for teams to rectify regular season struggles and show they belong with the elite. Moreover, those who are already above the rest continue to pageant their prowess.

For the No. 16 seed Gladiators (26-18), however, it was an abridged version of their regular season struggles as rival No.1 seed Ohlone (38-9) swept them in the first round of the playoffs in Fremont, 9-2 in Friday’s game one and 11-10 in game two on Saturday.

Chabot’s ability to score consistently throughout the game eluded them once again, scoring all 12 runs in just four innings out of the total 21 innings played. Ohlone did have that steady attack, however, scoring runs in 11 innings of baseball.

Jeff Johnson torched Gladiator pitching during the first meeting between both teams on March 12. He smacked three home runs in that game, including the go-ahead ninth inning grand slam in Ohlone’s 8-5 comeback win.

Last Saturday Chabot entered the ninth inning of game two with the lead, just as they did in game one. Trailing 7-3 in the fifth, Gladiator left fielder Austin Stewart, who went 3-for-6 with an RBI, doubled in first baseman Mike Costello, who went 1-for-5 with a run and a stolen base. Kerry Jenkins and Gene Felise both launched deep home runs, giving Chabot a 9-7 lead.

With victory all but secure for the Glads, Ohlone’s Jeff Johnson decided to replicate the events of game one… sort of. He did not win it this time, but tied it with a two-run shot sending the game into extra innings.

The Renegades got 7.2 innings of relief from Ian Hoff, improving his record to 9-2. Ohlone starter Sean Martin (4 IP, 4H, 6 ER, 3BB, 6 SO) pitched into the fifth inning and was pulled in favor of Cory Krisman after three batters reached base.

Relief pitching has also been the Achilles heel for Chabot all season. The bullpen gave up nine runs in the series. Ryan Hughes and Ryan Lucas did provide some help, not allowing a run in three combined innings.

David Singleton (5 IP, 8H, 5ER, 2BB, 3SO) started for the Glads in Game 1 and Alex Jack (4 IP, 5H, 5ER, 3BB, 7SO) took the mound in game two.

Ohlone’s David Luna stymied the Gladiator offense in game one, tossing 8 innings of three hit baseball and allowing two earned runs. Ohlone’s Aaron Plimmer’s infield single in the top of the 12th scored Gladiator killer Jeff Johnson from third base for the winning hit.

Ohlone advances to face No.15 seed San Jose, who upset No. 2 seed Merced 2 games to 1, Friday at noon in Fremont. No. 7 seed Cosumnes River will face No. 6 seed Diablo Valley College at 4 p.m.

It was a bitter end for Chabot. Nevertheless, the playoffs are just as kind as they are ruthless (see San Jose and Chabot). It shows everyone what kind of team you are or aren’t.