The Skyline men’s baseball team faced off against City College of San Francisco on Saturday March 12, in a gloomy, wet game.

The Trojans were on their toes from the very start as left-handed starting pitcher Kyle Vallans issued two walks during the top of the first inning. This was followed by a passed ball, which allowed both runners to advance into scoring position with only one out. Vallans was able to get out of the inning unharmed by striking out clean-up hitter Branden Oropeza and getting the next hitter to line out.

In the bottom half of the inning, Skyline took over the lead with the help of three walks issued by the opposing pitcher Steve Sagasty, who struggled with his command and did not make it out of the inning. The Trojans were able to take advantage of this and managed to score on a sacrifice fly by shortstop, Matt Seubert, followed by a single from right fielder, Neil Sterling.

At the end of the first inning the Trojans led the game by a score of 2-0. They were able to score again in the bottom of the second inning as Bret Berghammer singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. He later scored on a double to center field by designated hitter, Armando Fajardo.

Skyline was able to hold the Rams scoreless in the first four innings while Skyline scored in each of the first three innings, including a home run by catcher, Felix Aberouette, to put them ahead 4-0. The Trojans had owned the first part of the game, but seemed to lose their momentum as they entered the fifth inning after the game was delayed due to rain.

“It’s pretty tough, the weather wasn’t very good,” Trojans pitcher, Roberto Zucchiatti said. “Both pitchers on both teams didn’t really command the ball very well because of the weather.”

This was reflected in the final box score as both teams issued five walks and had many balls get passed the catcher allowing runners to advance.

The Rams got their rally started in the fifth inning with a bloop double to right field by Isag Lewis, followed by a walk and a hit by pitch to load the bases with no outs. The Trojans were up 4-0 and looked to limit the damage. However, a wild pitch allowed all runners to advance and got the Rams on the board 4-1. The Trojans then brought in pitcher, Michael Espino, to relieve Vallans, with a man on second and third and no outs.

Skyline could not hold off the Rams’ bats and allowed a two-run double to James Cullinane. Another wild pitch allowed the Rams to get a man on third, which led to the Rams tying the game at four with a sacrifice fly to right field. City College took the momentum as they scored four times in the fifth inning and nullified Skyline’s lead.

“There were two or three delays so it was tough to keep the mindset straight,” Skyline pitcher, Richard Boe said. “I feel like as a team we kind of lost focus a little bit and let the rain take us out of our game.”

Both teams were unable to score in the sixth inning and the game was finally called off because of rain, ending it in an unconventional tie 4-4.

“In college baseball no matter who you’re playing, that lead can go real quick so you always have to be focused and prepared to play in every inning,” Trojans assistant coach, Tony Brunicardi said.