It was a satisfying accomplishment for the De Anza College baseball team on April 28. The Dons came out victorious in their last game of the season against the Vikings at West Valley following another 5-4 victory against the City College of San Francisco the day before.

It was right-handed pitcher Ryan Gunther vs. Anthony Gotelli. West Valley started off with a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. A Viking error in the top of the 3rd led to a two base hit for the Dons followed by a walk for infielder Taylor Martin.

De Anza players gained momentum when infielder Kai Washington scored a base hit leaving the Dons with all bases loaded, ready to score.Rob Garrison stepped up to the plate and delivered a base hit putting De Anza on the score board with 1-2 at the bottom of the 3rd inning.

The tables turned when an error on De Anza led to West Valley gaining a run leaving the score 1-3 in the top of the 4th. The following three innings were filled with hits, outs and no gain for either team, a bit of an uneventful mid-game making the game drag until West Valley scored with a hit over second base making the score 1-4 at the bottom of the 7th.

A little bit of discouragement fell upon the dug out; coaches Scott Hertler and Dave Salter came in to remind everyone that it was not too late to turn things around.

“We want to end with a win guys … it’s not a good feeling to turn these jerseys in after a loss. Lets win this, let’s go!” Hertler said hoping to pump the team up.

In the top of the 8th inning the Dons had their bases loaded.Both catcher Gary Foster and infielder Pedro Tostado got hit with the ball, giving the Dons two walks and two points making the score 3-4, as the De Anza dug out blew up with cheers and excitement, back in the game and with a chance to take it home.

With two more innings to go, outfielder Nathan Kadlecek stepped up to the plate and scored a base hit, making it a 4-point inning, the De Anza Dons took the lead 5-4. Closing pitcher Shian Vidanage shut it down and struck out West Valley’s Kevin Corey ending the game with a win.

De Anza baseball players and fans cheered with the excitement of ending the season strong.