Diablo Valley College took a hard loss in Thursdays baseball game against Sacramento City College. With a final score of 7-5 the Vikings let a close game slide between their fingers.

The first two innings were almost a warm up for the Vikings as the Panthers were struck out quickly in both innings.

The Vikings began to lose their ground in the bottom of the third inning as Panthers pitcher Isaiah Nunez struck out every batter that came to the plate.

But with a shut out in the top of the fourth inning, the Vikings were able to take the lead getting two RBI, one through an error by the Panthers. DVC was only able to hold the lead through the fifth inning.

In the top of the sixth two errors lead to loaded bases, allowing Sac City to score, making the game 4-3. Starting pitcher for DVC, Billy Babb was then traded out for James White, who gave up one RBI but was able to close the sixth inning with the score of 5-3.

During the seventh inning the Panthers and Vikings duked it out, each getting men on base, but leaving them stranded by the end of the inning.

The top of the eighth did not go well for the Vikings. Although they were able to get two quick outs, White was struck in the ankle by a line drive hit and had to be switched out for Andrew Merken. The Panthers were able to load the bases and had a run walked in, making the score 6-3.

DVC also gave up a run in the top of the ninth, giving the Panthers a greater lead going into the bottom of the ninth with a score of 7-3.

With the bottom of the eighth also going poorly for the Vikings, it was down to the bottom of the ninth for the Vikings to attempt a final come back. Josh Stevens was able to get onto first and was pushed to third by Daniel Defazio’s fly ball into center field. Bradley Gosiengfiao popped out but was able to pull in an RBI bringing the score up to 7-4. But that wasn’t the end for the Vikings as Zachary Guardino brought in another RBI with a grounder to the short stop. But that was the end for the Vikings rally as John Anthon was struck out, ending the game at 7-5.

“We just gave up a lot of runs and walked too many people today, we are just going to have to do better next season,” said White, number 10 and pitcher for the Vikings.

White’s response was much cheerier than that of head coach Steve Ward who was disappointed with another loss for the Vikings. “This is the stuff we have been doing all season, giving up runs, errors, not getting men on base, fast balls,” said Ward.

The Vikings ended the season with 5 wins and 16 losses for the Big 8, and a total of 15 wins and 21 losses for the entire season.