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The Berkeley High baseball team’s 17-7 overall record wasn’t enough to get it into North Coast Section playoffs last year, so it seems logical that this year’s record – currently at 11-9 with two games to play – will yield a similar postseason fate. But as long as his Yellowjackets aren’t mathematically eliminated, BHS coach Larri Gordon still considers them on the playoff bubble. 

“It’s a long shot, but if we win our remaining two, and (the Foothill Falcons) lose their remaining two, we have a chance (at NCS at-large selection),” Gordon said.  

In order to keep their postseason chances from sliding from slim to none, the ’Jackets must win today’s showdown with third-place Foothill, a team that had little difficulty defeating BHS, in their last meeting on April 14. Berkeley enters today’s showdown at the Falcons’ home field riding the momentum of an 8-7, come-from-behind victory over Granada achieved last Friday at San Pablo Park. 

“It’s a big, big game at their place,” Gordon said about today’s East Bay Athletic League matchup, beginning at 3:30 p.m. “Foothill put some good numbers up on us last time.” 

All year, the ’Jackets have been characterized by streaky play, with the lineup exploding for double-digit runs on one day, and being shut down the next. According to Gordon, this is testament to the youth of a BHS squad that graduated 12 seniors last year. 

“We’ve always been up-and-down, like Jekyll and Hyde,” the coach said. “I hate to admit it, but it is a rebuilding year. We’ve had some tough times coming down the stretch, but he players have handled it well.” 

After today, Berkeley begins to gear up for its regular-season finale, hosted by California High on Friday.