May 10, 2012, Ohlone College Monitor - State championships are on the line as both the Ohlone Baseball and Softball teams prepare for the 2012 California Community College Athletic Asssociation Tournament.. Read more Ohlone softball, baseball teams work to catch fire for playoffs (PDF, pages 12 and 11).

Ohlone baseball moves to round two

May 10, 2012, Ohlone College Monitor - Ohlone baseball captured a two-game sweep over Chabot this past weekend to move one step closer to the state chmpionship. Read more Ohlone baseball moves to round two (PDF, page 12).

Ohlone softball beats San Jose City

May 10, 2012, Ohlone College Monitor - The Lady Renegades played well in the first leg of the Northern California playoffs, beating San Jose City College May 5 by a score 1-0 and again May 6, defeating them 13-5. Read more Ohlone softball beats San Jose City (PDF, pages 12 and 11).

Baseball also had a fantastic weekend beating Chabot in two games.  They are now positioned to compete against the #6 seed in the North…Cosumnes River College.  That game is scheduled for a 3:00pm first pitch Friday, May 11, 2012 at College of San Mateo.

Softball had an amazing weekend beating San Jose City  in two games.  They are now prepared to battle against the number #3 seed in the North…Sierra College.  Their game is scheduled for a 4:00pm first pitch Friday, May 11, 2012 at College of San Mateo.

Yes, that is correct, both teams will be playing at San Mateo!!!

If you happen to see any of these student athletes and/or coaches, please congratulate them and wish them luck.

• 2012 CCCAA Baseball Super Regional Bracket (PDF)
• 2012 CCCAA Softball Super Regional Bracket (PDF)

Go Renegades!

—Chris Warden, Athletic Director, Ohlone College 

Tuesday, May 8, 2012—Reprinted from Tri-City Voice.

Ohlone pinch hitter, freshman Katy Wedger, San Leandro High School, being tagged out trying to stretch a single into a double. —Photo by Mike Heightchew.

Ohlone College Renegades and San Jose City College Jaguars hooked up in a best two out of three series this past weekend on the Ohlone Campus. It was a first round matchup in the 2012 California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) sixteen team Northern Regional fast pitch softball championships.

Ohlone entered the playoffs as the #6 seed in Nor Cal at 27-11 and the second place finisher in Coast Conference North while SJCC was the #11 seed at 26-14 and third place finisher in Coast Conference South. Renegades and Jaguars are led by veteran coaches and good friends, Donna Runyon of Ohlone and Debbie Huntze-Rooney of San Jose.

Freshman Brittany Wright at 7-2 got the start in game one for the Renegades and she was opposed by freshman Savannah Bernardo coming in at 8-6 for the Jaguars. Saturday's first game would go to the hosts as Wright held SJCC to just one hit, a bad hop single, while giving up two walks and hitting two batters. Bernardo gave up five hits, all singles, walked three and had one hit batsman. The only run of the game came on a leadoff single in the fifth by Ashley Vignola. She then stole second base, advanced to third on a fly ball out by Kaley Marden and came home on an RBI single from Lauren Ermitano for the 1-0 victory. Designated hitter, Katy Bihl went 2 for 3 on the day.

On Sunday, game two saw Bihl at 12-7 get the start for Coach Runyon while Coach Huntze-Rooney ran Bernardo out to start again as the Jaguars top starter, Taylor Henson at 12-4, was out with a broken leg. San Jose won the pregame coin flip and chose to be the home team.

Ohlone came out with their hitting shoes on; after an out, Vignola reached on her first of two hit by pitches for the day; Marden walked and Ermitano smacked a three-run home run, her eighth of the year. Not done yet, Sara Ragusa walked followed by three consecutive hits; singles by Shelby Fowler and Bihl and a two-run double from Renelle Traylor for 5-0 lead after half an inning.

Bihl shut down the bottom of the first; a three-run top of the second for the Renegades put them up 8-0. Jags would score three in the bottom of the second. However, Ohlone kept banging away as Traylor led off the third inning with a home run. Singles from Lauren Poffenbarger and Mirah Nisbet were followed by a Vignola sacrifice bunt. Marden then hit a 2 run double and scored on Ermitano's single who took second on the throw home. After an out, Ermitano scored on Fowler's double, her third hit in 3 innings, give the Renegades a commanding 13-3 lead after 2 1/2 innings.

The game was called 13-4 on the mercy rule after five innings of batting by the losers. This sent Ohlone to one of two Nor Cal Super Regionals this coming weekend at the College of San Mateo in a four team double elimination tournament.

On Friday, May 11, in Game 2, #6 Ohlone vs. #3 Sierra College of Rocklin at 4 p.m. Saturday 12th, Game 3 will be Friday's losers playing at 12 noon; Game 4, Friday's winners playing at 2 p.m.; and Game 5 will be Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser at 4 p.m. Sunday 13th, Game 6 will see Game 4 winner against Game 5 winner at 12 noon and if necessary, Game 7 at 2 p.m. if Game 5 winner beats Game 4 winner in Game 6.

Survivor moves on to the four team double elimination state championship tournament in Bakersfield, May 18-20 to face the other Nor Cal Super Regional and two Southern California Super Regional Champions.

By Matt Schwab, Contra Costa Times.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012—Reprinted from Tri-Valley Times.

Success seems to follow David Hart on the baseball diamond.

After he helped Livermore High's varsity squad to new heights, he has been a part of two Coast Conference-Pacific Division championship teams at Ohlone College.

The Renegades will challenge Chabot in a best-of-three game series Saturday and Sunday to open the Northern California Regional playoffs.

But Hart, who signed a letter of intent with UC San Diego on April 16, is also a comeback kid.

After graduating from Livermore in 2009, where he'd earned East Bay Athletic League championships in 2007 and 2008, he underwent Tommy John surgery and was forced to redshirt at Ohlone in 2010.

Today the 6-foot right-hander has excellent command of three pitches, spots his fastball and keeps hitters off-balance.

"He's doing great for us," Ohlone coach Julian Russell said of Hart. "He's been here three years. He really did a great job battling back and getting himself ready to help us last year, and most definitely this year he's been a big part of the pitching staff.

"It's great to see guys come back from a surgery like that. He has earned everything he's got."

Hart enters the postseason with a 3.63 earned run average to rank 11th in the Coast-Pacific. He's also tied for 13th in the conference in wins with three.

Russell describes Hart as a "great student, a great person and a good baseball player, so he's definitely serious about getting out of here and continuing his baseball career, and most importantly, his education."

The Renegades, who are seeded third in the playoffs, have a strong valley flavor. Outfielder/utility Matt Owen (Foothill) is having a solid season along with center fielder/captain Richard Bermudez (California).

Hart, who plans to study computer engineering, seems perfectly suited to UC San Diego, a strong academic school with a powerful baseball program. The Tritons (28-20) are ranked just outside the top 30 in NCAA Division II.

In 2011 Hart played sparingly on a powerful Ohlone team that finished No. 2 in the state after taking the state championship the previous season.

"I wasn't quite up to par where I wanted to be talent-wise," Hart said. "Plus we had a pitching that was just amazing, so it was pretty hard to get some innings. I had to work pretty hard."

He did get a few opportunities, and fate also entered into the equation. A UC San Diego coach watched him pitch against host Sacramento City, as Hart struck out nine and allowed one run over seven brilliant innings.

"I ended up pitching the game of my life," Hart said. "Everything kind of fell into place."

At Livermore, Hart and the talented Cowboys advanced to the North Coast Section semifinals twice -- pretty heady stuff for a program that has struggled through the years. The Cowboys boasted J.R. Graham, who had upper-90 mph heat and went on to play at Santa Clara. He was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

"We all meshed well together during my sophomore and junior years," Hart said. "We won (the EBAL) in back-to-back years, so that was an extremely cool experience. It was great."

By Biff Jones.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012—Reprinted from Tri-City Voice.

The Ohlone College softball team played four games last week as they try to win their tenth straight Coast Conference North (CCN) league championship. They entered play last week at 8-2 (20-10 overall) and trailed then first place holders, College of San Mateo (9-1, 29-3), by one game.

On Tuesday, April 3, the Ohlone Renegades hosted Coast Conference South power house, San Jose City College, (8-3, 23-9) a team they've had trouble defeating the last few years. Brittany Wright, started for Ohlone and has been struggling with her control as of late. San Jose struck first with a run in the third inning as Wright walked three around an infield hit. The Renegades answered with a run in the fourth inning on a single by first baseman Lauren Ermitano, a double by second baseman Sarah Ragusa and a sacrifice fly from catcher Shelby Fowler. Ohlone added five more runs in the fifth inning on singles by left fielder Rennelle Traylor, shortstop Mariah Nisbet, third baseman Kaley Marden, right fielder Lauren Poffenbarger and a double by Ermitano. Center fielder Ashley Vignola also reached on a San Jose error. San Jose added two more runs in the sixth before southpaw Katy Bihl came on to pitch the seventh inning and secure the Renegade win 6-3. Wright ended up yielding three runs on four hits, five walks, and a hit batsman while striking out eight. Bihl gave no runs, a hit, a walk and had 2 strikeouts.

#44 batting, Freshman pinch hitter, Jaime Costa, West High School, Tracy.. —Photo by Mike Heightchew.

On Thursday, April 5, the Renegades traveled to Los Altos Hills to take on CCN Foothill College where they hoped to avoid a let down before hosting San Mateo on Saturday. At the bottom of the first inning, Foothill led off with a single. But when the ball got away from Ohlone's outfielders, the two base error put the lead-off hitter on third base. The next batter laid down a safety squeeze bunt and the Los Altos runner on third scored as she avoided Fowler's tag at home. After an out, Foothill hit consecutive singles to give the hosts an early 2-0 lead after one inning. Ohlone answered in the top of the second inning when starting pitcher Bihl singled and scored on Traylor's two run blast over the left field fence for a 2-2 tie. Meanwhile, Bihl settled down and gave up just one single and a walk with three strikeouts over the next three innings.

The Renegades put the game away with a five-run fourth inning and four-run fifth inning. Leading hitters were Traylor with a home run, double and sacrifice fly; Marden with a triple and a double; Rasguso with a double and a single; Nisbet and Bihl hitting two singles each; and Poffenbarger with a double. Raguso also scored from third base on a passed ball, and Marden had four ground ball assists at third including three in one inning. Wright pitched the fifth inning in the 11-2 game, which was shortened because of the eight-run mercy rule.

#11 Freshman Pinch Runner, Jazlyn Jimenez, being thrown out trying to steal secon dbase. Fielder is San Mateo Sophomore Shortstop Lindsay Handy. —Photo by Don Jedlovec.

Saturday morning, April 6, it was a battle for CCN first place between the league leaders College of San Mateo (CSM) Bulldogs and the second place hosts, the Renegades. Bihl would get the scoring started for Ohlone. In the first inning, after two quick outs, Bihl was unable to handle a high hopper over the pitching circle and the Bulldogs' base runner took advantage of it. This was followed by two singles to give CSM an early 1- 0 lead. Bihl settled down and retired 11 of the next 12 batters, 10 of which by ground ball outs. The bottom of the first inning saw the Renegades lead off hitter, Nisbet, open with a single followed by Vignola being hit with a pitch. Marden then sacrificed the runners to second and third with one out, but the Renegades were unable to get then home. Ohlone later had two runners on base in the fifth inning with one out and again could not score. The best scoring chance for Ohlone came in the sixth inning when they loaded the bases with one out. Bihl then hit a grounder to first but San Mateo threw out the runner at home trying to score from third on a forced play. This was followed by a weak grounder to second that ended the threat.

At the bottom of the seventh inning, with the score still 1-0, Renegades' Poffenbargar led off with a single. She was then made a pinch runner by Jazlyn Jimenez and was thrown out for trying to steal second. Nisbet then delivered her second single of the day and was made the pinch runner by Mackenzie Bush. The next batter, Jamie Costa, was pinch hitting for Vignola and popped out. San Mateo coach Nicole Borg came out and protested that Ohlone never advised the umpires of Bush entering as a pinch runner. After the two umpires conferred, they agreed with Borg's protest and called Bush out for the third out of the seventh to give San Mateo a 1-0 victory and a two game lead in CCN.

Game two of they day saw Ohlone host the CCN last place holders and winless City College of San Francisco. Ermitano got the start for the Renegades and the reserves played most of the game. Results were as expected, and the game lasted four and a half innings with Ohlone winning 14-0. Ermitano gave up a double and a walk and struck out eight batters. Traylor and Costa each scored a homer for Ohlone, with Traylor's being of the inside-the-park variety. The final home game of the regular season will be Thurday, April 12 at 3 p.m. against CCN rival Chabot College. The game will be Sophomore Day, where Ohlone shows appreciation to their sophomore players. The Renegades can still secure a post season playoff berth with a first or second place finish in CCN.

By Helen Tracey-Noren.

Friday, March 30, 2012—Reprinted from Tri-City Voice.

Since their loss against Gavilan College at the end of Feb., the Ohlone College Renegades have been on a 10-game winning streak.

This hot streak has allowed Ohlone to boast overall results of 15-7 and a conference standing of 9-1, making the Renegades the leading team for the Coast Pacific section of the Northern California Conference. Ohlone earned the title of 2011 State Champion Runner-Up last year and State Champions in 2010. If the Renegades keep on this fortunate streak of wins, they may see another title in the near future.

In the Renegades' recent game against Hartnell, freshman catcher Ryan Beal has shown to be a true asset for the team. Beal made several good stops behind the plate during the Hartnell game and is hitting a .368 in his 19 at bats this season. Several MLB teams have also been keeping an eye on Beal with intentions to scout him. These teams include the Red Sox, Angels, and the Astros. Beal has also drawn the attention of such schools as Michigan State, Indiana State, Florida Atlantic University, and others.

The future looks bright for the Renegades. Their next games will be against Skyline on March 29, and a make-up game at Monterey on March 30.

March 29, 2012, Ohlone College Monitor - Fresno City College Rams had to beat the Lady Renegades and in order to go on to beat San Jose City College to become the March Madness Gold Division champs before going to triumph over Silver Division to win this year's March Madness Tournament championship game.Read more Lady Renegades lose to Lady Rams of Fresno City (PDF, page 8).

Baseball team finds groove, wins 10th straight victory

Seventh-place Renegades beat first-place Panthers from Hartnell College

March 29, 2012, Ohlone College Monitor - The Ohlone Renegades are starting to find their groove as they took down Hartnell College over spring break, marking their 10th straight victory.Read more Baseball team finds groove, wins 10th straight victory (PDF, page 8).

By Biff Jones.

Friday, March 23, 2012—Reprinted from Tri-City Voice.

Ohlone College Renegades softball team was back in action last Thursday. March 15 at home against Coast Conference South (CCS) foe Cabrillo College of Aptos after its long March Madness weekend. Ohlone, seeking its 10th straight Coast Conference North (CCN) Division championship under head coach, Donna Runyon, was undefeated in league play at 5-0 and 16-6 overall.

Sophomore Shortstop/Third Baseman, Kaley Marden (Washington High School, Fremont). —Photo by Mike Heightchew.

Getting the start for Ohlone was sophomore southpaw, Katy Bihl from Newark Memorial High School looking for her eighth victory. After a 1, 2, 3 first inning, Cabrillo threatened in the second and third as two runners reached base each inning but Bihl was able to strand all runners.

In the bottom of the third the Renegades opened with three hits; a double by sophomore center fielder, Ashley Vignola, Granada High School, Livermore, and two singles by sophomore third baseman, Kaley Marden, Washington High School and sophomore first baseman, Lauren Ermitano, Castro Valley High School for a 2-0 lead.

That was all Bihl needed as she retired 14 of the last 16 batters she faced, including 10 in a row at one point. One base runner was a single to the state's leading hitter, Sierra Clark hitting over .600, whom Bihl held to 1/3 on the day and the other was a seventh inning base on balls. Bihl improved to 8-4, pitching a three-hit shutout with just one walk.

A game against CCN second place College of San Mateo, 5-1 (25-3 overall) scheduled for Saturday, March 17 was postponed to Saturday, March 31 at noon on the Ohlone Campus.

On Tuesday, March 20, the Renegades traveled to Saratoga for a game with CCS West Valley College Vikings. Freshman Brittany Wright, California High School, San Ramon would get the start. Wright, after starting out the season at 3-0, has been struggling as of late with her control and Coach Runyon hoped lessons with a private pitching coach may have straightened out some flaws found in her mechanics.

No. 21, Sophomore, Pitcher: Katy Bihl (Newark High School). —Photo by Don Jedlovec.

In the first inning Ohlone had its first two hitters, freshman shortstop, Marah Nisbet, California High and Vignola reach baser on two West Valley errors but they were unable to score. Vikings' first saw the hosts load the based on two walks and a hit batsman before Wright struck out the last two hitters and keep the score tied at 0-0.

Through five innings, both teams would put runners on base, Ohlone via the base hit and WV via the base on balls and hit batters, but neither could score. Finally in the sixth, after one out, Marden singled and Erimitano followed with a two-run home run for a 2-0 Renegade lead. Both teams then would go relatively quietly until the bizarre bottom of the seventh.

Wright, still struggling with her control, walked the lead-off batter and No. 9 hitter, the pitcher. After an out, a Viking single put the tying runs on base and brought the go ahead and winning run to the plate. Another out brought Wright and the Renegades within one out of a shutout victory.

Next up was the West Valley clean-up hitter, catcher Taylor Batey, who had reached base twice earlier after being hit and walking before striking out. With the count 3-2, two outs and two runners on base, Batey appeared to swing at ball four. However, the ball hit Batey and the plate umpire awarded Batey first base to load the bases. If a player swings at a pitch that ends up hitting the batter, the call is a strike and the batter is not awarded first base. When Ohlone asked the plate umpire to check with the base umpire whether or not the batter had swung at the ball, the base umpire said there was no swing which would have been strike 3 and the game ending out. Instead it was now bases loaded with two outs and Ohlone leading 2-0 in the bottom of the seventh.

Now for the real bizarre play. Up now was first baseman Jessica Barrett who had stuck out twice and flied out earlier. Once again the count would go to 3-2 with two outs and now, bases loaded. After fouling off 2 or 3 pitches, Barrett got one down the middle and she deposited it over the center field fence for what appeared to be a walk off grand slam home run and a 4-2 West Valley win.

As the base runners and batter circled the bases they were jumping up and down with sheer joy. After the first base runner crossed home plate, the second base runner jumped up into the air wanting to come down on home plate with both of her feet. However, the landing missed the plate and before she could go back and tag the plate, the third base runner stepped on home plate. This meant the third base runner had passed the second one and that is an out when a runner is passed on the bases by another runner.

Now the ruling would be that the first base runner scored, the second one never touch the plate so no run, the third runner was out for passing another runner, and the fourth runner's run did not count because the out was the third out of the inning. So instead of a West Valley 4-2 win it was Ohlone 2 West Valley 1.

Remaining regular season home games for Ohlone are the make-up game with San Mateo on the 31st, perennially powerful CCS San Jose City College, Tuesday, April 3, 3 p.m., CCN City College of San Francisco, Saturday, April 7, 1 p.m. and Thursday, April 12, 3 p.m. CCN rival Chabot College.

By Biff Jones.

Friday, March 16, 2012—Reprinted from Tri-City Voice.

Freshman shortstop, Mariah Nisbet, California High School, San Ramon. —Photo by Don Jedlovec.

March Madness 2012, ladies fast pitch softball tourney, held this past weekend, March 10-11 at Central Park in Fremont and hosted by Ohlone College Renegades, saw plenty of action, especially in Sunday's Gold Bracket games. Saturday was pool play with 16 California Community College teams participating in four pools, A, B, C, D, of four teams each while Sunday's games would be single elimination play.

On Saturday the Renegades opened against Merced with sophomore Lauren Ermitano out of Castro Valley High School toeing the rubber. Ohlone started out like it was going to run away with an opening game victory taking an 11-3 lead after three innings. However, walks and Renegade fielding errors over the last three innings saw Ohlone escape with a 12-9 win.

Ermitano gave up six runs on six hits and three walks over the first five innings while reliever, freshman Brittany Wright, California High School, San Ramon, allowed three runs (one earned) on four walks and no hits. Renegades committed six errors during the game.

Offensively, Ermitano helped her own cause going 4/4 with a home run, four RBI's and two runs scored; sophomore center fielder Ashley Vignola, Granada High School, Livermore, was 2/4 with a home run, four RBI's and two runs scored; and sophomore right fielder Megan Tyler, Robertson High School went 3/3 with two runs scored.

Read more

By Biff Jones.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012—Reprinted from Tri-City Voice.

March Madness in the form of women's fast pitch softball descends on Central Park in Fremont, Saturday and Sunday, March 10-11. The Ohlone College Renegades will host this 16-team tournament in the twentieth annual rendition of the March Madness tourney organized by Head Coach Donna Runyon in her 24th year with the Renegades.

JC or community college teams from northern and central California will play 24 games on fields 3, 4, 5, and 6 at Central Park on Saturday and another 14 games on Sunday. Saturday's games will be under pool play format with four teams playing in one of four pools (A, B, C, D) while Sunday will be single elimination play in two brackets, Gold (championship) and Silver (consolation).

Teams entered are:

• Pool A: Cabrillo College, Aptos; Diablo Valley College, Pleasant Hill; Fresno City College; Solano College, Fairfield.
• Pool B: Feather River College, Quincy; Gavilan College, Gilroy; Merced College; Ohlone College.
• Pool C: De Anza College, Cupertino; Hartnell College, Salinas; College of the Redwoods, Eureka; San Jose City College.
• Pool D: Cosumnes River College, Sacramento; Monterey Peninsula College; College of the Siskiyous, Weed; West Valley College, Saratoga.

Saturday's games start at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ohlone plays Merced at 9 a.m., Feather River at 1 p.m. and Gavilan at 3 p.m. (all games on field 4).

Games are scheduled for seven innings with a 105 minute time limit on Saturday's games; no inning starts after 105 minutes of play. Games must go five innings with the losing team having at least five innings of batting. Games tied after the time limit or seven innings will use the international tie breaker in which each team starts a half inning with a runner on second base. Tie breakers, if needed for Sunday's pairings, will be fewest runs scored against followed by a coin flip. Eight run mercy rule will be used after five or six innings.

Sunday's games will have first place teams in each pool playing second place teams in the first round of the Gold bracket while third place teams will play fourth place teams in the first round of the Silver bracket. First round Silver bracket games start at 9 a.m. and first round Gold bracket at 11 a.m. Four semi-finals will be at 1 p.m. with the two finals at 3 p.m.

Admission is $6 for adults; $4 for seniors and young adults; and free for parking, children under 6, high school softball players with a player pass and young softball players in uniform. Concessions and rest rooms will be available.

Don't forget to reset your clocks Sunday morning, 2 a.m., or you'll be late for those games.

March Madness Softball Tournament
Saturday-Sunday, March 10-11
9 a.m. - 7 p.m. (Sunday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Central Park
40000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont
(510) 659-6044

Note:
Ohlone Coast Conference (CC) league games are scheduled in the next couple of weeks on the Ohlone Campus: Thursday, March 8 vs. De Anza and Thursday, March 15 vs. Cabrillo - both games at 3 p.m. On Saturday, March 17, the Renegades play at 12noon vs. the College of San Mateo. This game could be for first place in the CC North Division.