Monitor 2014-5-1

OHLONE COLLEGE

MONITOR

THURSDAY MAY 1, 2014 Vol. XLVII No. 8

Renegades baseball team misses out on postseason play.

See story on page 7

FREMONT, CA OHLONEMONITOR.COM

DAY OF DIALOGUE

FESTIVAL

Fremont campus event promotes mental health awareness, suicide prevention

student welcomes artists

STEP Up Ohlone tackles mental health Former

LOUIS LAVENTURE Editor-in-chief Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison came to Ohlone College on Wednesday to take part in a “Day of Dialogue” about mental health issues, including suicide prevention and social support.

Attendees at the event on the Fremont campus, organized by the STEP Up Ohlone program, were greeted by Associated Students of Ohlone College President MatWeber andVice President of Student Services Ron Travenick. Harrison delivered the keynote address.

“The city of Fremont is probably doing some things that Ohlone doesn’t and Ohlone is probably doing some things that Fremont doesn’t,” Harrison said. “We have to team together and connect the community when it comes to mental health issues.”

The day included several breakout sessions covering different topics under the mental health umbrella.

Suicide prevention for the community, social support for student academic success and an open communication portion talking about mental health were three of the primary sessions.

“We need to talk about Continued on Page 3

Ethnicities gather on Fremont campus to showcase art MONITOR STAFF

TAM DUONG JR. / MONITOR

Fremont Mayor Bill Harrison addresses the crowd at the STEP Up Ohlone Day of Dialogue event on the Fremont campus on Wednesday. Harrison delivered the keynote address at the event, which aimed to promote mental health and wellness through education and prevention.

CAMPUS ESCORTS

Students help maintain school safety SHANNON SORGE News editor Oh l o n e Co l l e g e h a s launched a program in which students help people to their cars during the evening.

As part of the Student Escort Officer program, 10 enrolled students escort students and staff from 7 to 10:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Identifiable by their bright green vests, the SEOs can be waved down if you see one.

Or you can request an escort by calling Campus Police Services at 510-659- 6111.

“The Student Escort Officers will serve to provide an additional visible presence

of college authority on campus, serve as an extra set of eyes to report any suspicious or hazardous circumstances, and enhance the safety and security of the college community,” campus police

Chief Steve Osawa said.

Two of the new officers, Cory Call and Fino Valencia, said they’ve already caught someone using illegal drugs on campus.

The escort officers either

SRUTHIE KONDAMOORI / MONITOR

can get paid for their hours or use them for Ohlone credits, Valencia said.

“I’m friendly and wanted to do something for extra money,” Call said, when asked why he decided to become an escort officer.

Student Joshua Cauley said the new program is a good idea.

“It makes a lot of sense, especially for women who take late classes,” Cauley said. “I wouldn’t use it, but I think it’s a good thing.”

For more information students can visit the Ohlone College Campus Police Services, Safety and Security website at http://www. ohlone.edu/org/security/ or call 510-659-6111.

A former Ohlone College student who founded a nonprofit deaf advocacy group will be the keynote speaker at the three-day Ohlone College Ethnic Art Festival on the Fremont campus.

Is i d o re Ni yo n g a b o, founder and executive director of International Deaf Education, Advocacy and Leadership (IDEAL), will deliver his speech “Deaf to Destiny – a Crusade of Hope” at noon Tuesday at the bottom of the stairs in front of Building 1.

IDEAL hosted the first East African Deaf Youth Education and Leadership Summit in Uganda last summer, bringing together more than 50 participants from five East African countries, ages 18 to 30.

The group next plans to set up a series of camps in East Africa in partnership with local deaf leaders, to provide deaf primary school students with the information and resources to contribute to society and cultivate their dreams.

Niyongabo, who grew up in a village in the northeast of Burundi, lost his hearing at age 10 due to spinal meningitis. Two years’ later, he was invited to study at a school for the deaf, and his father rode his bicycle for 13 hours to bring him there.

“This journey, which took place one month before my father’s life was taken away through the genocide of 1993, opened the path to a longer journey that led me where I am today,” Niyongabo wrote in the biography on his website, referring to the mass killing of the Tutsi people by Hutus in Burundi that year. “Losing my hearing not only rescued me from the genocide, but also opened my eyes to better opportunities that I may have never reached if I did not become deaf.”

Niyongabo immigrated to the United States and graduated from Ohlone with an associate’s degree in Continued on Page 3

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NEWS

MONITOR MAY 1, 2014

NEWS BITES Ohlone adding defibrillator units Ohlone has added more Automated External Defibrillator units to beef up the college’s safety program.

On the Fremont campus, units are now installed in the Smith Center, between the NUMMI and Jackson Theaters; on the second floor of the Student Services Building; in the pool area at Building 9; and on the second floor of Hyman Hall. Another unit will be placed in the cafeteria area of Building 5, in the gymnasium at Building 9, and at the President’s Office in Building 27. Campus police will have two units for deployment by officers on duty.

On the Newark campus, there is one unit on the second floor and one unit in the fitness room on the first floor.

An additional unit will be placed with campus police.

Employees invited to dinner A Pre-Graduation Dinner and Awards Ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m.

May 23.

All college employees are invited to the dinner, which will be in the cafeteria on the second floor of Building 5 on the Fremont campus.

To attend, employees must RSVP by May 16 at www.surveymonkey. com/s/LX6WZTT. Employees are welcome to bring guests, but they will be charged $10 per person (payable via cash or check to “S.O.A.R.”).

Seminar to tackle ‘difficult behavior’ A seminar about dealing with difficult behavior will be held May 8 on the Newark campus.

The seminar, from noon to 1 p.m. in NC1317, will focus on defining difficult behavior, identifying unhealthy reactions, learning how to set limits and respond in productive ways, and learning how to change our own behavior to achieve more harmonious relationships at work and home.

To RSVP, go to www. surveymonkey.com/s/ VD6VPSJ. – Compiled by Monitor staff

Ohlone to host ‘The Other Prom’ Gay Straight Alliance to hold dance for LGBTQ youth MONITOR STAFF Ohlone College’s Gay Straight Alliance is organizing Fremont’s first prom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/ questioning youth on Friday.

The Other Prom will be from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. in the cafeteria on the second floor of Building 5 on the Fremont campus.

This dance will exhibit amateur and experienced drag queens and kings from all over the Bay Area, best-dressed prom court elections, and a disc jockey.

Small appetizers and virgin cocktails will be available while supplies last.

Attendees should “dress to impress” at the blackand-white-themed event; jeans, sandals and T-shirts are not allowed.

The organizers are asking for cash donations of $5 to $20 at the door, which will be donated to a college fund supporting LGBTQ youth in Alameda County.

However, nobody will be turned away for lack of funds.

Parking is $2 to park on campus, or free to park on the street. There will be signs posted for those not familiar with the campus.

The prom also will have a shuttle driving from the parking lot to the drop off

RYAN PARCHER / MONITOR

Above: Members of the Ohlone College Gay Straight Alliance take part in a meeting earlier this semester on the Fremont campus. The group is organizing Fremont’s first prom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning youth on Friday. Below: GSA President Charles Barba, right, and Secretary Alayna Harris have a laugh during the meeting.

area during the first two hours of the dance.

Anyone 16 and older is welcome to attend, but those younger than 18 must have their parents sign a release of liability form. IDs will be checked at the door.

The release of liability form is available here: www. ohlone.edu/org/studentactivities/docs/acknowledgementandassumptionofpotentialrisk.pdf Those younger than 18 also will need their parents to sign a photo release. To get the form, or for any other questions, contact the Gay-Straight Alliance at www.facebook.com/Theotherprom.

NEWS

OHLONE COLLEGE

MONITOR STAFF: Editor-in-Chief: Louis LaVenture News editor: Shannon Sorge Features editor: Louis LaVenture Sports editor: Louis LaVenture Opinions editor: Louis LaVenture Photo editor: Tam Duong Jr. Online editor: Shannon Sorge Advertising coordinator: Sujin Park Monitor Staff: Erika Heredia Magdalena Jurys Sruthie Kondamoori Alizaib Lodhi Hung Ngyuen Ryan Parcher Adviser: Rob Dennis Printer: FP Press

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General Excellence Fall 1994 Fall 2000 Fall 2004 Fall 2005 Fall 2013 Spring 2014

CONTACT US: Offices: Room 5310 Call: 510.659.6075 E-mail: monitor@ohlone. edu Read: facebook.com/ Ohlone.Monitor www.ohlonemonitor.com

Opinions expressed in the Monitor are those of the respective authors and are not necessarily those of the staff, the college or the Associated Students of Ohlone College.

MONITOR MAY 1, 2014

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Ohlone deals with mental health stigma Continued from Page 1 it, make it real and make it tangible so it becomes something we can tackle,” Weber said.

Health educator Sang Trieu touched on the changes in the stigma surrounding mental health.

“This was always something that was dealt with once somebody showed signs of mental health issues in the past,” Trieu said. “Now the focus is shifting more toward prevention and dealing with the issues before they get too far along.”

STEP Up Ohlone is funded by the Alameda County Behavioral Health Care services using Proposition 63 state funds – a 1 percent tax on Californians with personal incomes of $1 million

or more in a year.

Mental health is “an unknown and unseen until it’s on the table,” Travenick said.

“It will only be meaningful if you bring something to it.”

Student Health Center Director Sally Bratton mentioned some startling statistics to the people in attendance.

“Two percent of Ohlone College students have attempted suicide,” Bratton said. “Six percent have thought about committing suicide.”

Guests at Wednesday’s event were treated to a boxed lunch followed by more dialogue, before the day adjourned with a raffle.

For more information, go to www.stepupohlone.org or visit the Student Health Center.

TAM DUONG JR. / MONITOR

Student Health Center Director Sally Bratton discusses mental health on Wednesday on the Fremont campus.

Former Ohlone student delivers keynote Continued from Page 1 liberal arts. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in peace and justice studies at San Diego State University.

“I aspire to build a world in which everyone is identified by their ability, not their disabilities,” he wrote.

The Ethnic Art Festival will begin at noon Monday with Ohlone Indian descendant Andrew Galvan leading the Ohlone Prayer in the Four Directions.

There also will be Ballet Folklorico dancers, ethnic arts and crafts, and some

I aspire to build a world in which everyone is identified by their ability, not their disabilities

free food for all attendees.

On Tuesday, in addition to Niyongabo’s speech, Across Africa will perform modern African dance, and the Sheena Dance Co. will perform a lyrical dance piece about segregation in the 1940s.

-Isidore Niyongabo

The event will conclude Wednesday with Bhangra dancing and entertainment, a Native American dance performance, games and henna tattoos.

All events will be at the bottom of the stairs in front of Building 1.

Meanwhile, inside the library, there will be an art exhibition by aspiring African-American fashion designer Nicole Payton.

For more information about the IDEAL nonprofit organization, go to www. realideal.org.

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MONITOR MAY 1, 2014

FEATURES Newark welcomes World Tai Chi and Qigong Day

Photos by Ryan Parcher Story by Louis LaVenture The Ohlone College Newark campus hosted World Tai Chi and Qigong Day on Saturday.

The free event offered a variety of demonstrations and performances, as well as “Learn and Practice” sessions for all attendees.

“I was just here for some school stuff and ran into all of this,” student Alexis Aguirre said.“People by my house do tai chi in the park really early in the morning. I never really noticed it, but now I will appreciate it a little bit more.”

Accupressure, traditional Chinese medicine and guided imagery for health and well being all were discussed during the daylong event.

Sifu Bryant Fong, Sifu May Chen and Sifu Yuan Long graced the event with their presence, enlightening the crowd on the art of tai chi and qigong.

Long represents the Dragon Rhythm Shaolin Kung Fu Academy, and the Ohlone College Tai Chi Qigong Competition Team also delighted the crowd with a contestworthy performance.

The event was put on by the Ohlone College Health and Wellness Department.

For more information, go to www.ohlone. edu/globalwellness.

Top: Sifu Bryant Fong teaches tai chi to a group of attendees at World Tai Chi and Qigong Day at the Newark campus on Saturday. Middle-left: Tomiko Boyd shows off her sword skills on Saturday at World Tai Chi and Qigong day. Middle-right: Kevin Rabaton displays excellent body control on Saturday at the Newark campus.

Bottom-left: Alfonso Hernandez strikes a pose with a sword at the Newark campus on Saturday. Bottom-right: Sifu May Chen, center, uses a staff to teach tai chi to (left to right) Kamuela Tolentino, Marcus Bishop, Michael Rodriguez-Parker and Tomiko Boyd at World Tai Chi and Qigong Day on Saturday at the Newark campus.

FEATURES

MONITOR MAY 1, 2014

5

Ohlone counselor breaks barriers for Latinos LOUIS LAVENTURE Editor-in-chief For more than 18 years, Maria Ramirez has been a fixture in the Ohlone College counseling department.

However, she has been so much more than that, not only to her people, but to the community as well.

Ramirez has an unusual blend of ethnicities – Puerto Rican and Apache Native American, which ties her to the Latino community in a way most could never understand.

“I don’t want to just represent Latinas, but all of the Americas,” Ramirez said.

“We look at indigenous people as a thing of the past, but we aren’t. We are now.”

Ramirez is the former president of the Latina Leadership Network, and co-chaired the group’s annual conference at the Ohlone College Newark campus over spring break.

Ramirez is also a noted writer, poet and performer, dedicating a lot of her time to creative writing, a lot of which she sets to current rap music.

“To me, storytelling is the most ancient way of passing things on to the generations to come,” Ramirez said.

“So I like to use rap music. I’ll do a poem and use rap like Dr. Dre or Eminem so kids will listen.”

Listen they have – and not just kids, either. The ninth International Conference on Chicano Literature and Latino Studies listened to Ramirez and scheduled her to perform some of her works in Spain on May 28.

“I never really wanted to go to Spain until I saw that the conference was going to be there,” Ramirez said.

“I felt that it was a way I could go and present our story, not just mine.”

Ramirez was referring to the story of Latinos and the history behind their culture and evolution as a people.

Her work began in the late 1960s, when she got involved with the farm workers’ struggle and later fought to open colleges and universities to Chicano, Native-American and African-American students.

“Maria is usually the life of the party. Not only is she a compassionate counselor who really cares about students, but she is also an excellent colleague,” Ohlone College counselor Lenore Landavazo said.

“She is always willing to help in any way she can.”

Ramirez tries to help not only students and coworkers, but also Latinos, Chicanos and all minorities.

“We have really bought into the stereotypes of our own people in many communities,” Ramirez said. “When our people are talked about, it is usually the worst and never focuses on the positive things we do. This is something we have to change as a whole, as a people.”

Mexican-American student Gabriel Orrozco feels the same way about his culture and people.

“It’s just like every man or woman for themselves,” Orrozco said.

“How can we thrive in

society as a race if we can’t even come together on smaller levels?”

Ramirez hopes that, through community outreach, counseling and performing, she can change the mentality of Latinos and Chicanos to reflect a more positive and supportive structure and environment.

For more information about the ninth International Conference on Chicano Literature and Latino Studies, go to www. institutofranklin.net/en/ events/conferences/nextconferences/9th-international-conference-chicano-literature-and-latino or www.chicanaherstory. com.

2013-2014

STUDENT AWARDS Ceremony

Thursday, May 8, 2014 Smith Center at Ohlone College, Fremont Campus

5 pm RECEPTION with

light refreshments & entertainment

6 pm CEREMONY Join us in celebrating the outstanding academic achievements by Ohlone College students who are recognized for their top performance and superior commitment to learning.

Listen to students’ stories of overcoming challenges, exceeding expectations, and rising to new heights of accomplishment!

COURTESY OF MARIA RAMIREZ

Counselor Maria Ramirez performs one of her original works.

AWARD RECIPIENTS INCLUDE THESE HONOREES: Jason Manella

Dasmesh K. Lally

Jacob Rojas

ACCOUNTING

COMPUTER APPLICATIONS & OCCUPATIONAL TECHNOLOGY

KINESIOLOGY

James C. Keogh ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE

Gilbert T. Hernandez FINE ART

Danielle Phoenix Kristin Schmitz ASL

Sergio Manuel Gil-Billoups COUNSELING

Renee Rietz DEAF PROGRAM

Brigette Tran G. DSPS

Byung Gyu Lim DEAF STUDIES AMBASSADOR

Sarah Dorman BIOLOGY—TRANSFER

Stheven Cabral Christian Reyes BIOTECHNOLOGY

Chuong Huynh Michael Dizon Tomohiro Ishiguro ENGINEERING

Lien-Yu Chen ENGLISH LANGUAGE INSTITUTE

Kaci Hanson

Alhad Deshpande CHEMISTRY— JIM KLENT AWARD

Zaw Phyo

ENGLISH LITERATURE/ CREATIVE WRITING

John Estanque ENGLISH COMPOSITION

CHEMISTRY

Michael E. Good

Oscar Rodriguez

MATHEMATICS

Stephanie Hung Josue Cruz Donna Nguyen MULTIMEDIA

Jiyoung Park MUSIC

Marjorie Nguyen Renee Wong NURSING

Michael Dizon Chuong Huynh Liu Tan ADVANCED PHYSICS

Salvador Parayno PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT

Samuel D. Castillo RESPIRATORY THERAPIST

CHICANA/O STUDIES

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Feruzon Atah Mohammad

Richard Flynn

Reiko Mitsuda

SPANISH

CHINESE

ESL

Philip Enguancho FORENSICS/SPEECH & DEBATE

Tomohiro Ishiguro INTERNATIONAL STUDENT

Aurora R. Morris INTERIOR DESIGN

Louis LaVenture JOURNALISM

F R E E A N D OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Li Cao Chuong Huynh

Jenny Chang SPEECH & COMMUNICATION

Ashley Diamond DANCE

Chris Higareda ENTERTAINMENT DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

Daniel Carpenter ACTING

ohlone.edu/studentawards

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OPINIONS

MONITOR MAY 1, 2014

NBA was right to crucify Sterling for racist remarks

LOUIS LAVENTURE Editor-in-chief No room for racism.

This is a mantra that was forced down my throat as a child and throughout my adolescence, and I am so thankful for it.

Those four words taught me to be accepting and open to all people, no matter what race or color they happen to be.

Being a minority and having a family comprised of nearly every ethnicity under the sun originally introduced me to this concept, which seems to be lost on the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, Donald Sterling.

Over the weekend, an

audio recording emerged of Sterling making several racist comments to a girlfriend of his.

“Well then, if you don’t feel – don’t come to my games,” he said. “Don’t bring black people, and don’t come.”

This was the response by Sterling to his girlfriend after she told him that she wasn’t raised the way he was raised.

New National Basketball Association Commissioner Adam Silver wasted no time getting down to the facts before making the announcement on Tuesday as to Sterling’s future.

Silver handed Sterling a lifetime ban from all involvement with the National Bas-

ketball Association in every form, even down to attending a game.

Silver also fined Sterling $2.5 million – the maximum allowed in the collective bargaining agreement – and hit him with a series of other punishments.

Sterling is not allowed to have any involvement with the team, attend a practice or game, or be involved with any type of business or personnel decisions, effectively ending his duties as owner.

The next step is a vote, expected to happen soon, by the other 29 owners, who will decide if Sterling should be forced to sell the team. At least 75 percent approval is

required in order for Silver to put the pressure on Sterling to sell the Clippers.

“We are very pleased with the decision by the commissioner,” Players Union Representative Roger Mason Jr. said. “Now we want a timetable on when the vote will take place, among other things.”

The racial obliviousness displayed by Sterling is appalling – but not surprising, considering the owner’s documented history of racist remarks and actions.

Sterling, who made his fortune in Los Angeles-area real estate, was sued by a group of tenants who said that he wanted no blacks,

no Mexican-Americans, no children and no recipients of subsidized housing in his buildings.

Meanwhile, dozens of NBA players, coaches and executives also have accused the Clippers owner of racism.

In this day and age, it simply isn’t acceptable, especially given that the league is comprised primarily of AfricanAmerican men, and that Sterling’s own team is made up of more than 90 percent African-Americans.

The NBA and the world was right to crucify Sterling for his comments, especially since this was just the cherry on top of a long history of mistakes for him.

MAGDALENA JURYS / MONITOR

CAMPUS COMMENT

What is your opinion on the Russia and Ukraine crisis?

VANESSA FRICK Respiratory Therapy

“It is really scary. I don’t think Obama should get involved with it” ALEX QATEK Music

“We should prepare for the worst, but not take action” ALLISON MARTIN-MCBEE Music

“I feel like I don’t know enough about the situation“ MIGUEL FUENTES Law

“Russia should keep their borders instead of taking other countries’ borders”

AYMEIV YASIN History

“I don’t believe Russia is doing the right thing in the Ukraine, but I understand their position in the matter”

SPORTS

BASEBALL

MONITOR MAY 1, 2014

7

Renegades miss state playoffs

TAM DUONG JR. / MONITOR

Left to right: Brock Pradere, Jacob DiThomas, Isaiah Bond and Gunnar David relax during a pitching change in a 4-1 loss to Cabrillo College on April 19 in Fremont.

Despite great start, no postseason for Ohlone baseball team LOUIS LAVENTURE Editor-in-chief If you thought the college football Bowl Championship Series process of selecting teams was confusing, wait until you get a load of the community college system for selecting its postseason baseball teams.

All teams that finish in first or second place in their conference get an automatic bid in the state playoffs.

Then things get a little confusing, to say the least.

The remainder are chosen using a complicated algorithm that ranks teams using the Ratings Percentage Index, more commonly referred to as the RPI. With just six at-large bids remaining, the teams with the highest RPI number fill

the remaining slots in the order they rank.

“We had a pretty good schedule – we beat five playoff teams – but that’s the way the system is,” coach Mike Curran said.

“The guys really overachieved and we couldn’t be prouder of them. With just one returning starter they did some pretty special things.”

Despite finishing the regular season 25-11 over-

TAM DUONG JR. / MONITOR

Josh Egan, left, looks for the ball during a 4-1 loss to Cabrillo College in Fremont on April 19.

all and 14-10 in conference play, the Renegades find themselves on the outside looking in.

Still, for Ohlone and firstyear coach Curran, things are only going to get brighter in the future.

“From here all we can do is build off of our success and get better,” Curran said.

“The guys really worked their tails off this year and it showed.”

The Renegades got off to

a great start this season and at one point were a dazzling 19-3.

Ohlone was 6-8 in its final 14 games, including losing three of their last four, all of which were Coast Conference battles.

Curran and the Renegades are only set to lose 10 players from this year’s team with 26 players on the roster listed as freshmen, giving next season’s squad depth and experience.

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SPORTS

MONITOR MAY 1, 2014

SOFTBALL

Lady Renegades return to postseason

Got Me Feeling Some Type of Way with LOUIS LAVENTURE

Ohlone faces Gavilan College in first round of state playoffs LOUIS LAVENTURE Editor-in-chief The Ohlone College softball team is back.

Well, they never really went anywhere, but the Lady Renegades will make their return to the postseason after missing the state playoffs last year.

“This really means a lot to me after we didn’t make it last year,” sophomore captain Alyssa Raguini said. “Especially since this is my final season here at Ohlone, it just means more.”

Coach Donna Runyon has become accustomed to the playoffs and success during her time here at Ohlone, but this time has a different feel for Runyon.

“We are usually in the top eight seeds, so being seeded 12th and going away is a little different,” Runyon said.

Ohlone finds itself facing a familiar foe in the form of Gavilan College, which finished the regular season with a 28-10 overall record and a 13-4 conference record.

The Lady Renegades (2612 overall, 13-5 conference) lost their first meeting this season with the Rams on March 11 in Fremont by a final of 8-1.

The two teams met again at the Ohlone College March Madness Tournament at Central Park just four days later on March 15.

Ohlone managed to shut down Gavilan the second time around, securing a 5-1 victory over the Rams.

“The two games we played against them give me confidence going into the playoffs,” freshman RaeAnn Garza said.

“The first time we played was one of our worst games.

We figured out our mistakes and really dominated in the second game.”

Garza was magnificent in the victory, going the distance for Ohlone and only allowing one run on six hits while striking out six.

Savanna Ulloa drove in two runs and Gabriela Reyes collected an RBI of her own while accumulating two hits.

It was a far cry from the 8-1 loss to the Rams, in which Garza gave up 13 hits and six earned runs.

“We were way more mentally prepared the second time around,” Garza said.

“I just have to be smarter with my pitches and use the scouting report we have on them.”

The first-round matchup is a best-of-three-games series set for 2 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday, and again

East Bay Problems

RYAN PARCHER / MONITOR

HUNG NGUYEN / MONITOR

RYAN PARCHER / MONITOR

Top: Celina Mendoza dives back to second base while Shelby Hodges gets back to first during a 12-2 victory over Chabot College in Fremont in February. Middle: Coach Donna Runyon talks strategy with RaeAnn Garza, left, and Alyssa Raguini at Central Park in Fremont during the March Madness Tournament. Bottom: Sophomore Gabriela Reyes slides around the catcher in a 12-2 drubbing of Chabot College in Fremont in February.

at 2 p.m. Sunday if necessary.

All games will be played at Gavilan College’s home field in Gilroy.

The mismatch in seeding is not lost on Ohlone or freshman catcher Sara

Tagliaboschi.

“You hear a 12 against a five seed and you automatically think blowout,” Tagliaboschi said.

“We just have to go in strong and focus on putting

our best on the field.”

The winner of this series will take on the winner of the series between the fourth-seeded Sacramento City College and 13th-seeded Reedley College.

Sometimes being a Bay Area sports fan is really hard.

Well, I should probably be a little clearer and say that being an East Bay sports fan is really hard.

For years the Oakland Athletics, Oakland Raiders and Golden State Warriors have continually broken my already fragile heart through years of regular and postseason misery.

The A’s not only have one of the smallest payrolls in Major League Baseball, but they also play in one of the worst facilities in the league now that Candlestick Park is no more.

With a miniscule budget, General Manager Billy Beane creates magic year after year to form a competitive team that has captured the American League West Title the past two seasons.

Yet the elusive World Series title has eluded Oakland since the glorious year of 1989, when they defeated the San Francisco Giants in the Battle of the Bay. Then there are the Raiders, who just this season climbed out of salarycap hell and finally are signing some respectable known free agents.

Yet that elusive championship has been hard to come by for the silver and black, with their most recent in 1983.

Now the Warriors take their turn on center stage with their most recent postseason excursion in full swing, with the Warriors down 3-2 against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Yet it is so fitting for an East Bay team like the Warriors to make it hard on their fans.

Golden State won the first game of the series on the road in upset fashion only to get beaten by 40 points in the second game of the series.

The highs and lows of local sports were never more apparent than in the contrast between the two contests.

This is the life of an East Bay sports fan.

Up, down and still missing a champion.