The De Anza baseball team aimed to improve upon their 0-6 record at the Modesto Tournament Feb. 16, playing back-to-back games against two stiff opponents.

The first half of the double-header was versus Colorado State University. The Dons drew first blood, pushing across two runs in the fourth inning.

Dons starting pitcher, Tommy Erlin was light out against opposing batters until a lead off double in the sixth inning proved to be the catalyst for Colorado’s first run. De Anza right fielder Travis Adams wasted little time responding with a solo home run to reclaim the two-run cushion in the very next inning. Colorado answered right back with a two out rally in the 7th inning, which tied the game at 3 all. In 7 innings of work, Erlin allowed 8 hits and 3 runs, while racking up 8 strikeouts.

Kazuya Matsumoto was the relief pitcher summoned to shut down Colorado’s offense in the 8th inning, unfortunately he was unable to record a single out, while allowing each of the first three batters he faced to reach base. At this point the Dons had no room for error, having the bases loaded with nobody out.

Coach Scott Hertler decided to bring in the closing pitcher, Kalehua Moniz, to attempt to preserve the tie game.

“He did a great job,” said Hertler. Instead of catching a fly ball, Moniz let it drop to the grass, hoping to trick one of the base runners into leaving his station. Sure enough, his savvy play decoyed the runner on third base into taking a few steps off the bag, and Moniz immediately fired a laser to the third baseman Gabe Robles.

In the ninth, the Dons still had confidence in their ability to make a comeback, as the entire team stood and roared, hustling their teammates to start a rally. Adams, who had gone deep his previous at bat led off the inning with a walk, which brought the tying run to the plate. Jamie Wagner came up to bat and scolded the ball to deep right field, however the defender made an outstanding play and caught it, he then threw to first base, completing the rally-killing double play.

The Dons’ heart-breaking 5-3 loss extended their losing streak to 7 games. Afterward, Hertler united his team, and gave a pep talk to prepare them for the next game.

“He didn’t get down on our guys. He just pointed out mental errors and kept everybody in the game. We lost, but we played well,” said Assistant Coach Junior Rivera.