Bulldogs eliminated in super regionals

The Bulldogs traveled nearly 250 miles northeast to Quincy, Calif. May 15 where they were eliminated from the super regionals.The team went 1-2 in the two-day double elimination tournament.

In the first game, San Joaquin Delta College defeated San Mateo in extra innings with a score of 7-6.

In the second game, CSM was up against the hosting team, Feather River College. The Feather River College Golden Eagles had an outstanding record of 42-3, proving to be a worthy adversary. The Bulldogs prevailed, knocking the home team out of their own tournament with a score of 5-2. The third game, which took place on Saturday, May 16, followed the Feather River game with only a four-hour break. Unfortunately, the 'Dogs were defeated for the second time in extra innings, this time by Sierra College.

"We lost both in extra innings," said John Austin, pitcher and captain. "I just wish we could've won one of those, maybe the outcome [of the tournament] could've been different."

Despite their elimination, the players were pleased with how the games unfolded.

"We played well," said Adam Chickman, catcher and captain. "The games were evenly matched and overall, just great games. As a team we played some of the best baseball all season."

The tournament was hosted at one of the best baseball facilities in Northern California. Sitting at 3,500 feet above sea level, it has been dubbed "The Nest."

"The place was cool," said Austin. "It was a little bit of a drive, but it was cool to get away. There was great hospitality on Feather River's part."

The field is state-of-the-art, with professional lighting, a professional LED scoreboard, two 70' astroturfed batting cages with an Iron Mike Pitching Machine and new bleachers with individual chairbacks. To top it off, it's surrounded by the beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills.

"It was one of the nicest fields that I've played at," said Chickman. "There was a great atmosphere and it's just sad to see it all end."

While on the road, head coach Doug Williams set the players up at the Greenhorn Ranch for the weekend. The ranch doubles as a small mountain get-away, complete with a saloon, fishing and horseshoes.

"It was like a weekend in baseball heaven," said Chickman.

San Joaquin Delta went on to win the tournament. They are one of four California teams to play in the remaining championship games, which were hosted by Fresno City College on the weekend of May 22, 23 and 24.

The three games at Feather River concluded the Bulldog's 2009 baseball season, and on a high note.

"Overall, we played at a really high level," said Austin. "We finished the season off strong.