CSM, Canada prepare for showdown, Skyline on the road

That's because No. 4 seed CSM (30-11) hosts No. 13 Canada (29-12) in one best-of-three series, while No. 10 Skyline (25-15) travels to Elk Grove to take on No. 7 Cosumnes River (26-14), the second-place finisher out of the ultra-tough Big 8 Conference. Friday's opening games start at 2 p.m. Game 2 of each series starts at 11 a.m. Saturday, while a third game, if necessary, takes place approximately 30 minutes afterwards.

The CSM-Canada series holds plenty of intrigue for obvious reasons. It pits two storied programs against each other in a matchup that seems to be a toss-up and has a great chance to go the distance. They played only one time during the regular season, with the Colts prevailing, 6-3.

In one of the more impressive accomplishments in the junior college landscape, the Bulldogs won a share of their eighth consecutive conference championship, finishing tied with West Valley for the Coast Conference Golden Gate Division title. Canada, meanwhile, finished third in the Coast Pacific Division.

"I think it's a great situation that out of all the teams we could play in Northern California, we're playing a team 10 minutes away from us, which will mean great playoff atmosphere, great attendance with fans, because that's what you want," said CSM manager Doug Williams.

Both squads have much to gain from winning the series. For CSM, it's getting out of the opening round, something it hasn't done since the 2005 season. For Canada, there's added incentive. The Colts haven't won a playoff series since former coach Mike Garcia's second-to-last season 10 years ago, and in order to do so they'll have to beat a team that has been the gold standard of the Coast Conference -- taking the mantle away from Canada in the late 1990s.

"It's funny how things turn out that it is CSM we have to go through in order for us to take another step to become one of the elite programs in Northern California," said Canada manager Tony Lucca. "When I took over the program seven years ago, my intent was to get us back into the ballclub we were when I played here. The baseball gods (must have set this up) because CSM has been our Achilles' heel. I wouldn't even call it a rivalry because they've waxed our butts for the last six years. It's not much of a rivalry because they've owned us. That's why it's a great opportunity for us."

Canada went 0-15 against CSM in Lucca's first five years, but the Colts took two-of-three from the Bulldogs two years ago before CSM returned the favor last season. But Canada won the only time they played this season, meaning since the '07 season the Colts have won four of the seven games.

Canada is led by first baseman and Pacific Division Player of the Year Daniel Johnston, who at this time last year was the team's scorekeeper. The Menlo-Atherton High graduate had to have surgery after suffering a serious shoulder injury during his senior year at M-A, but Lucca knew he had a gem in the making. Johnston has had some incredible games this season, including an amazing seven-hit, 10-RBI performance against CCSF on April 14. He finished the regular season with 8 home runs, 55 RBIs and a .400 average.

"Daniel is everything a coach can ask for," Lucca said. "He's fun to watch and anytime he's in a clutch situation, he's going to come through. He's a secret just like our whole program is. Like I said before I feel we're the best kept secret around."

Canada's rotation consists of Ray Torres, Anthony Armanino and Brant Norlander. Williams has one of his deeper pitching corps in recent memory, with John Austin, Michael Andrick, James Chamberlin and Josh Trejo all figuring to play prominent roles.

CSM overcame a ton of injuries to post its second 30-win season in the last four years. The Bulldogs also have one of their more balanced lineups in the last couple of years, with Sean Wilson (.413 average), Pat Burford (.496 on-base and .667 slugging percentage) and Chris Schindler (32 RBIs) leading the way.

Meanwhile, Skyline faces a supreme challenge in Cosumnes River, which actually is the highest-rated team out of the vaunted Big 8. The teams played one game to completion in the first week of the season, way back on Jan. 30, a game in which Skyline lost, 9-6. Even though the Trojans are going up against a formidable foe, Skyline manager Dino Nomicos likes his chances.

He's never been more confident because he's got two aces in Greg Gonzalez and Marcus Pointer, who was named the Pacific Division Pitcher of the Year. Gonzalez, who basically missed all of last year after suffering a torn ACL, came back as good as ever, going 8-6 with a 2.85 ERA and striking out 147 over 111 innings. Pointer was just as dominant, going 8-3 with four complete games and a 3.98 ERA. And beyond that, Skyline has other capable arms in Ben Ruder, Nik Jurado, Jesse Orozco and Sergio Contreras.

Two years ago, Skyline extended a strong Chabot team to three games before succumbing. Last season the Trojans were swept by eventual state champion Sierra. This year's task is no less daunting, but this time Skyline is packing more power in its holster.

"I love our chances because I can guarantee you Gonzalez and Pointer will go at least seven innings each," Nomicos said. "They're pitching well right now and they've been on this stage before. I'll take my chances against anybody with those two guys. What it comes down to for us is, can we play the same type of baseball we've been playing the last month (Skyline won 12 of its final 15 games to close out the season)?"

If Skyline's offense can put up some decent run production, the Trojans have a great shot at advancing to the next round. But Cosumnes River has some great arms, too, and if will be up to Skyline's Cody Larson (10 home runs), Sean Rogers (.367 average), Lucas Hagberg (56 hits and 41 RBIs) and Taylor Heon (49 hits and 37 RBIs) to get things going offensively.

Notes: The All-Coast Conference teams were named Monday and as expected the local teams were well represented. In the Golden Gate Division, Williams was named the Coach of the Year. CSM players who made the first team include Austin, Wilson, Burford and Adam Chickman. The second-team list includes Trejo, Chamberlin, Steven Riddle, Glenn Wallace and Thomas Wood.

In the Pacific Division, in addition to Johnston earning Player of the Year, Canada players on the first team include Torres, Eric Herrera, Bobby Scott and Chris Viegas. Colt players to make the second team include Armanino, Brian Klimenko, Brett Kilburg, Pierson Jeremiah, Nick Borg and Brian Marblestone.

For Skyline, second baseman Heon earned the division's Defensive Player of the Year award and Pointer the Pitcher of the Year. Gonzalez and Tony Loeffler made the first team, while Orozco, Nico Vargas, Heon, Hagberg and Larson made the second team.