In their last game of the season, the Dons faced a tough 7-2 loss to the West Valley Vikings. De Anza’s defeat came came after two winning years in a rivalry against West Valley.

The Vikings put two runners on base in the first inning, but failed to advance them. De Anza’s Dalton Lopes was hit by a pitch and drew first blood with the first run of the night.

At the top of the second, West Valley’s Brian Fleischli hit a single and ran to second on a sacrifice bunt. He made it to third on a base hit and scored on a sacrifice fly, tying the score at 1-1. De Anza was unable to answer with any runs, ending the second inning.

Then, Viking Trevor Marino reached first on a throwing error and was the target of three pickoff attempts. He was finally caught stealing with a throw to second. Cannon Bernarding fouled one off just outside the first base line and followed up with double, hit fair along the same arc. He scored on Travis Bonner’s double.

Then, the tides turned overwhelmingly in West Valley’s favor. Sheldon Daquioag took first base after being hit by a pitch and advanced to second after Fleischli was walked. Tension from the Don’s fans accompanied murmurs of the bases being loaded with only one out. Bonner scored off a throwing error and Daquioag reached home as a result of Fleischli being put out at second.

The scoreless fourth inning was highlighted by De Anza player Cory Kingston’s diving catch in center field. Recovering, he threw out Jason Brady at first.

The next run was De Anza’s last of the night, by Chris Gallegos on a ground ball that resulted in a double play.

At the top of the seventh, the Vikings scored three more times with bases loaded, sealing their victory.

Vikings coach Rick Weins congratulated the Dons on their performance.

 “As always, they play hard. They play very, very loose, they have a lot of fun with the game and they do things the right way,” he said.

Dons players Dalton Lopes and Chase Spivey provided an insight on next year’s team. 

“We have a lot of people coming back next year, so I feel like they have a lot of potential,” said Spivey, “It just depends on the incoming freshmen.” 

Lopes, also a pitcher, said he felt that a strong pitching staff would be necessary for a playoff run.

Lopes and Spivey recognized outfielder Cory Kingston and infielder Chris Gallegos as offensive leaders and said they would be players to look out for next season.

FAR OUT -West Valley’s Cannon Bernarding slams one for a flyout to center field after two failed bunt attempts. (ED CHUCK | La Voz Weekly)