College baseball: COM locked in on run to BVC title

The Mariners are sprinting toward their first conference baseball championship in eight years as College of Marin plays back-to-back games to wrap up the regular season.

"It's been next man up, everyone doing their job this season," said COM coach Steve Berringer, who has skippered the program for 25 of the past 26 seasons. "The title has been on our minds, but our mission has been to get better every day."

The Mariners, who were rained out on Tuesday, close out the regular season against Napa Valley College, with the Bay Valley Conference title potentially hanging in the balance. Marin (26-11, 15-4 BVC) lost 4-2 to Napa Valley on Wednesday in the first of the three-game series. The Mariners host Napa on Thursday, then play at Napa on Friday in the finale.

The Mariners gave up four runs in the seventh inning before putting up two runs in the eighth, but their rally ended there. Patrick Kozielec scored on a sacrifice fly and Andrew Gamble, who doubled earlier, scored on a bases-loaded walk.

First-place COM still holds a 1.5-game lead over Los Medanos (25-11, 13-5) and has the tiebreaker edge after sweeping their series in March, but the Mariners can do themselves a favor by winning the final two games against Napa Valley.

For Berringer, it's been 20 years since he won his first BVC pennant as Mariners manager in 2006.

"This makes it fun. The biggest joy I have is watching these kids do their best," Berringer said.

COM stumbled out of the blocks to start the season 0-3 in January against non-conference powerhouses San Mateo and Santa Rosa. After working into form during February, the Mariners powered through a 12-1 March to put themselves on the title track.

"We've had a good string of games," said Berringer, whose team began a five-game streak with a 6-1 win against Laney at home on April 9. "We've seen a new hero step up every day. In past years we've had considerable individual talent that took us to the playoffs. This year, we have guys with a lot of talent, but it's much more of a group effort."

COM beat Lassen in a three-game playoff series last season before going 0-2 in the 3C2A Super Regionals, boosted by the powerhouse hitting of Derek Bartram, Caden Sta Maria and Wyatt Davis, who all left Kentfield after the 2025 season.

San Marin High grad David Skaggs anchored a solid pitching corps last season, but has been limited during this season. The Mariners have been buoyed by Redwood grad Charles Veley and Petaluma grad Anthony Del Prete, who have stepped up after impressive 2025 seasons. Veley was an All-BVC first-team pick last season with 46 strikeouts and a 4.11 ERA for a 7-4 record in 14 appearances. This season, Veley is boasting a 2.95 ERA with a 4-2 record.

Anthony Del Prete, who went 8-3 in 16 appearances with 45 strikeouts and a 5.47 ERA in 2025, is 5-1 this season with a 3.47 ERA. Sam Schnitzer led the bullpen with seven saves and 23 strikeouts in 23 appearances.

"Anthony has done a good job this season," Berringer said. "And Chazz Veley, even when he doesn't have the heat, he finds his spots. Micah Marquez has shown some good stuff and Sebastian Elsner has been one of the best in conference play."

Returning sophomores Adrian Ruiz (7 HR, 40 RBI) and Dante Caiati (4 HR, 41 RBI, .322) have been two of the biggest bats in a Mariners lineup led by Justin-Siena grad Ben Sebastiani (.338) and Archie Williams grad Gilbert Roth (10 HR, 50 RBI).

"He's been the glue guy for this team," Berringer said of Roth. "You need a guy like that every year, and this year it's Roth."

Roth, who patrolled left field for the Mariners last season, has taken his position behind home plate this season and, according to Berringer, his stats rank among the best in the state among catchers.

"You go down the list and you see guys making an impact every game," Berringer said.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.