Scott Hertler’s baseball team accomplished big things thisseason. The De Anza Dons qualified for post-season play for thefirst time in Hertler’s four seasons as head coach, with a 32-gameschedule comprised of 16 eventual playoff opponents.
After starting the season 12-10, the Dons dropped six straight andseemed to ease out of the playoff race. But they won four of theirnext five games, giving themselves a chance for the last playoffspot if they won their five remaining games, which they did.
All season long the Dons proved to be a potent offensive machine,harboring eight players with batting averages of .300 or above.Designated hitter Quinn Moran had only 96 plate appearances, yet hewas able to drive in 21 runs, score 27, compile 31 hits and have a.531 slugging percentage.
Left fielder Ryan Langone hit .319 and patrolled the outfield withstealth prowess. Both Langone and Moran were first-teamAll-Conference selections. Second-team All-Conference first basemanPat Burgess provided the muscle, leading the team in home runs andRBIs.
Shortstop Jon Bustamonte led the team in hits, runs and stolenbases. Bustamonte was also a second-team selection. In thedesperate win-all-or-nothing five-game stretch, the Dons outscoredtheir opponents 45-17.
“We didn’t have to count on one or two guys to provide ouroffense,” Hertler said of his high-powered offense. “We couldspread it around. Offensively, we did a nice job.”
The pitching staff also played a vital role in the five-gamewinning streak, including first-team All-Conference selection NickPereira’s two complete-game wins. Versatile second-teamAll-Conference pitcher Anthony Baca worked out of the bullpenmasterfully, pitching crucial relief innings. He even picked up acomplete-game victory of his own.
“Our guys played hard and they played well,” Hertler said. “It isunfortunate that we didn’t get a win. We got a taste of theplayoffs; we didn’t like the taste [of losing]. Hopefully we’ll getback there next year and win a couple.”
Sixteen freshmen will return for the 2004 season.  PitchersJeff Rogers and Colby Henner will be a tough 1-2 combination in therotation. The outfield will be well stocked with Ray Montez, CaseyCosta and Jefferson Bradshaw all returning. 
Hertler encourages any and all ball players to try out andcontribute to the program. Tryouts are the first day of the Fallquarter.