The Mountain Lions took on the visiting Reedley Tigers on Jan. 23, losing 7-4. 

De Anza could not come up with a big hit, as the team had runners in scoring position in the bottom of the first, second and fifth inning.

“We hit the ball pretty well today. We just didn’t get the ball to fall when we needed it to,” head coach Don Watkins said.

The Mountain Lions rallied with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, trailing 4-0. 

Designated hitter Keanu Hennings (De Anza No. 17), 20, kinesiology major, stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded. 

Hennings hit the ball back to pitcher Kaden Welch (Reedley No. 35), who threw home for the force out. Catcher Eli Garay (Reedley No. 12), threw to first but over threw the first baseman Andrew Mora (Reedley No. 28), leading two runs to score.

The Mountain Lions trailed 4-2 going into the top of the eighth inning. 

The one error that De Anza made was the difference in the game, as a potential double play ball to get out of the eighth inning was not able to be made.

“I think we just got to hit a little more and just be more involved as a team,” Hennings said, “Everybody’s hands on deck.”

The next three Reedley batters capitalized on this and scored three runs, extending the lead to 7-2.

The Mountain Lions showed hope in the bottom of the eighth and ninth, scoring in each inning, but weren’t able to capitalize on the timely hitting to tie the game.

“Even though we lost, it’s the first game and it wasn’t a bad loss,” second baseman Drew Paxton (De Anza No.4) 20, business administration major, said.

The Mountain Lions head on the road to face Contra Costa on Jan. 29 at 2 p.m..

“It’s going to be fun to watch these kids learn and play at this level, because they’ve come from some successful programs,” Watkins said. “I’m really excited about the direction we’re going.”