Despite a valiant effort, the SRJC baseball team lost to Diablo Valley College in the first round of the California Community College Athletic Association Regional playoffs, ending any chance for the team to win a 2012 state title.

 The Bear Cubs had won game one of the best-of-three series with a stellar combined pitching effort from Bryan Webster and Scott Morrow and a 10th inning single from Anthony Sequeira May 5. Almost all of the Bear Cub hitters had quality at bats and SRJC looked to use that momentum to finish out the series May 6 and head into the next round of playoffs.

 Facing DVC’s best pitcher Nick Pasquale in game two, the Bear Cubs scored early and give pitcher Matt Nadolski a lead. But Nadolski struggled through the first inning and did not fare much better the next. Four consecutive walks forced in the first DVC run to tie the game before head coach Damon Neidlinger brought in Andrew Nelson. But in a no-outs, bases-still-loaded situation, Nelson could not get in a quick enough rhythm to get out of the inning. DVC scored a total of six runs before the third out was recorded.

“I couldn’t get too frustrated because I was making my pitches and they hit them for some runs,” Nelson said. “I had to just wear it and stay positive because I threw a lot.”

As the game wore on, it was clear the Bear Cubs were outmatched. Despite getting several chances to cut DVC’s lead, the Bear Cubs could not make significant contact. There was a chance for SRJC possibly tie the game or take the lead in the ninth inning as Ryan Xepoleas opened with a single and later scored on a single by Sequeira, but Ryan Strouse squashed any chance for a Bear Cubs comeback when he struck out to end the game.

The Bear Cubs started almost the exact same lineup for game two, despite having several fresh players available. The one run the Bear Cubs scored in the third inning after triples from Stephen McElroy and Xepoleas was almost all SRJC pitcher Jason Alexander needed to work with.

DVC was no match for Alexander as he either struck out or forced a groundout from nearly every DVC hitter. In the sixth inning, DVC managed to tie the game, but the run was unearned as Strouse overthrew a ball to first base. Despite that hiccup, Alexander had a no-hit bid going into the eighth inning.

With two out and two on, Alexander intentionally walked Devin Alexander to load the bases. Puzzled whispers buzzed through the crowd as Devin Alexander took first base: he was 0-2 with a walk and had struck out in his last at-bat. SRJC chose to pitch to Matt Burks who singled and drove in two runs. DVC knocked Jason Alexander out of the game, and took a 3-1 lead.

It came down to the last of the ninth inning: either DVC would walk away with the win or SRJC would make the comeback of the year for the series. After a quick out, Brent Gillespie drove a shot into the outfield for a single with McElroy up next. Hopes were high McElroy could tie the game with another hit. But DVC pitcher Blake Fassler got McElroy to lineout to the short shop. Running on contact, Gillespie was doubled up on the play and the game was over. Gillespie laid strewn across first base as DVC exploded onto the field in celebration.

Although the Bear Cubs lost the series and any chance of moving on in the playoffs, the team is proud of all their success this season. A 23-15 overall record, 14-10 in conference and second place in the Big 8 conference is a huge feat for any team. The Big 8 is one of the toughest conferences in the state and what SRJC did this season is a testament to the talent of the players and coaches.

“It’s been an amazing run and it’s upsetting it ended short,” catcher Daniel Smith said. “But we all learned valuable things from Damon [Niedlinger] and more importantly things about each other and what it means to grow as a team and work together to achieve a common goal. I know all the sophomores are upset that we don’t get to come back and play at SRJC again, but at the same time we hope that we passed on valuable lessons to the freshman as to what it means to be a winning team and we want to see them be even more successful than we were this year.”