The last two weeks of the season will definitely be meaningful for the Chabot College baseball team. The Gladiators enter the home stretch in a three-way the for first in the Coast Conference-Golden Gate division after dropping a tough 6-4 decision to the College of San Mateo April 14 at Gene Wellman Field.
Despite the loss, the Gladiators will get another crack against the Bulldogs on April 17 in San Mateo.
Chabot trailed for most of Saturday's game, but had its chances down the stretch. The Gladiators left eight men on base in the last four innings.
Trailing 6-3, the Gladiators used a pair of Bulldogs errors to closer. Tim O'Dalaigh reached on an error and later scored when Tyler Rourke reached on another San Mateo error. Pinch hitter Matt Barraza then walked to load the bases with one out before the Bulldogs brought in closer Justin Berry.
Berry delivered a strikeout and a fly out to end the threat and the game.
''We played a good game out there but they played a little better,'' Chabot first-year coach Will Tavis said. ''We had some opportunities but couldn't get the hits.''
Brian Tan had a solid outing in relief for the Gladiators, going six strong innings, giving up four hits and one run.
''Brian came in and pitched great for us today,'' Tavis said. ''He gave us six great innings and made them put the ball in play and our guys made the plays.''
Despite the loss, Tavis was still pretty confident heading into the last two weeks.
''We take it one game at a time and go out there and play how we are capable of playing,'' he added.
David Langer went 2 for 2 with a pair of walks, and Trever Contier also had two hits.

By Tony Gonsalez
Special to Chabot athletics