The tension was palpable, the Dons leftfielder, sophomore Gilbert Guerra (No. 3) had just struck out looking with the bases loaded and nobody out in a 1-1 game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Feeling snake bitten with runners in scoring position was all too familiar to this Dons’ ball club.

Roberto Cuneo (No. 6) stepped up to the plate, and with the weight of an entire team on his shoulders, the freshmen De Anza College catcher singled to right field, and a collective sigh of relief resounded throughout the field.

De Anza College would go on to beat the Cabrillo Seahawks 6-3 in an all around team win. Strong starting pitching, timely hitting and dominant innings out of the pen were the key to the Dons victory.

The Dons’ starting pitcher, freshman lefty Lucas Yovanovich (No. 26) hurled seven strong innings and escaped jam after jam throughout the ballgame. Yovanovich weathered the storm of early errors committed behind him, stranding runners at third base frequently.

“These guys pick each other up; everyone plays everyone,” said head coach Scott Hertler.

Whether it was Cuneo’s bases loaded single, or Yovanovich escaping a jam in the top of the seventh inning.

With runners at second and third and only one out, or Guerra’s two dominant innings out of the pen for the save, it was clear that these guys play for one another.

“We’ve got to find our A game, and bring it consistently,” Hertler said.

The camaraderie on this club is noticeable; no player stands above the rest or is infallible. Whether or not the Dons make the playoffs this year, Hertler said, “The coaching staff loves their effort, their camaraderie, and their ferocity.”