Modesto JC men’s basketball team keeps alive playoff hopes
Friday night’s regular-season finale at Diablo Valley appeared to be meaningless two weeks ago for the Modesto Junior College men’s basketball team.
To everyone’s surprise, the Pirates – after three straight wins – have injected serious meaning to their trip to Pleasant Hill.
MJC (12-13, 6-7 Big 8 Conference) held San Joaquin Delta scoreless from the floor over the final five minutes Tuesday night to defeat the Mustangs 65-57 at MJC Gym. Sophomores Mason Washington (17 points) and Zack Gonzales (15) came through on Sophomore Night, as Modesto jumped into a tie with DVC (14-13, 6-7) for fifth place in the Big 8.
Coach Paul Brogan believes the Pirates have a chance at a NorCal playoff berth if they can complete the sweep over the Vikings. Modesto defeated Diablo Valley 62-48 on Jan. 26 at MJC. Cosumnes River snapped the Vikings’ four-game winning streak 71-60 Tuesday night.
“If we win, I think it’s a good shot and we’ve done all we could. I don’t think we get in if we lose,” Brogan said. “We’ve been all about keeping the faith. It’s a natural process of working hard and keeping the right attitude.”
The Pirates led 28-23 at halftime, but Delta (9-15, 4-9) crept in front 53-52 with five minutes left. The MJC defense stiffened from that point while Gonzales, Washington and center Michael Hatfield scored to regain the Pirates’ upper hand.
Hatfield’s basket and three-point play with 1:42 left increased the lead to 60-54. More work from the free-throw line by Gonzales, Brennan Pope and Washington clinched the win. MJC netted 19 of 22 from the line while the Mustangs were 9 of 15.
Hatfield, who’s rallied late in the season alongside Gonzales, finished with 15 points for Modesto. Jovian Cormier of Delta was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points.
Regardless of the team’s fate after Friday night, Brogan has admired the Pirates’ resilience.
“We’ve found some consistency that hasn’t been there all season,” he said. “All seasons are the results of injuries and illnesses. That’s the way athletics goes. You try to reach your potential. We’re doing that now with what we have.”
Delta pulls away from MJC women – A promising start by MJC evaporated to a 94-61 loss to Delta. The Pirates (3-21, 0-13) will complete their season Friday night at Diablo Valley.
Delta guard Brittany Butler strafed the Pirates for 27 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the floor and 7 of 9 from the three-point arc. The Mustangs (20-9, 7-6), sitting in fifth place in the Big 8, sank 14 three-pointers. Tiara Tucker scored 18 points for the Mustangs, who led 41-29 at halftime.
Baseball
Wild win for Warriors – Cal State Stanislaus drew six walks en route to six ninth-inning runs for an 11-7 win at Fresno Pacific. The Warriors (6-2) captured the series, which spanned 12 days, 3-2 over the Sunbirds (5-4).
Stanislaus, after allowing three unearned runs in the eighth inning, became patient at the plate while Fresno Pacific pitchers struggled with the strike zone. Eventually, a bases-loaded bunt single by Patrick Mulry brought in the go-ahead run. The Warriors busted it open with a bases-clearing double by Garrett Serino.
Jordan Kron, who entered in the eighth, picked up the win to improve to 3-0. Coach Kenny Leonesio used six pitchers during the midweek game with starter Nick Voumard throwing only one inning.
Charlie Gaff went 3 for 5 with two RBIs for Stanislaus. Michael Chavarria was 2 for 4 and scored three runs.
Cal State Monterey Bay visits Stanislaus on Saturday at 2 p.m., before the Warriors travel to the Otters’ diamond Sunday.
Softball
Early deficit costly for MJC – San Jose (5-4) took charge with six runs in the second inning for a 12-3 nonleague win over the Pirates (3-6) at MJC West.
Megan McCormick doubled twice and drove in a run for Modesto while Sydney Anderson also had an RBI. The Pirates welcome Merced for a doubleheader Thursday at 1 p.m.
Golf
Morshead low for Pirates – MJC, paced by John Morshead’s 3-over-par 75 at Stockton Country Club, placed fifth out of 13 teams in the Big 8’s second tournament of the season. Robert Erler posted a 77 for MJC, which trailed first-place Santa Rosa by 29 strokes.
This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 11:02 AM with the headline "Modesto JC men’s basketball team keeps alive playoff hopes."