The San Diego Mesa College baseball team split this weekend's season opener against Santa Ana College, dropping game one 8-12, and then taking the second game at home 10-9. 

The Olympians pounded out 12 hits in the opener, scoring 8 runs. Jose Perez went 2 for 3, scoring 2 runs, and 1 base-on-balls. Andrew Gauna was 2 for 5, with 2 runs, and 2 RBI's. Isaiah Gomez brought in the first scores of the year in the bottom of the 3rd after doubling to center field, bringing home Andrew Gauna and Jose Perez.  Nick Husovsky and Sean Alvarez also contributed with 1 RBI. 

"Santa Ana is a very good team," states head coach Jake Portugal. "They are consistent year in and year out. They're currently ranked #5 and the way our team played against them shows our squad what we are capable of."

The Olympians had an opportunity to win both games. It was a battle that went back and forth and the resiliency of the players showed. "We know what we are capable of and this weekend was a glimpse of how competitive we will be," adds Portugal. 

In the second game, the Olympians jumped to a 3-0 lead in the first inning after Jake Klimkiewicz doubled bringing Andrew Gauna, which was then followed by another double by Sean Alvarez bringing home both Jake Klimkiewicz and Nick Husovksy giving the Olympians a 3-0 lead. 

A big moment in the game was the 4 run and 3-hit bottom of the sixth-inning. Down 5-6, Danny Yanez evened the game with a sacrifice RBI bringing home Andrew Gauna to even the score at 6-6. With one out in the inning, Jake Klimkiewicz  connected on a 3-run home run bringing home both Nick Husovky and Isaiah Gomez giving the Olympians a  9-6 lead. 

Down 3-runs in the top of the 9th, the Dons were able to even the score  9-9 after a single by Thomas Williams brought home Jared Anderson. 

Heading into the bottom of the 9th, and with the momentum completely switching over to Santa Ana, Jake Klimkiewicz once again found himself in a position to strike for Olympians.  After a Andrew Gauna double and with two outs, Klimkiewicz connected and delivered a double bringing home Gauna for the 10-9 walkoff victory. 

"Gauna & Gomez both brought a veteran presence that is going to be vital to our success," states Portugal. " Klimkiewicz  had a rough start to the year but he displayed his mental toughness in a big way today. We threw 4 freshman pitchers in these two games and they all showed promising signs to build on.

Considering the many unknowns of this year's squad, this weekend's season opener should be considered a success, especially competing against such a quality opponent.

The coaching staff was pleased with the aggressive at bats. Even more impressive, the defense focused on the fundamentals that was heavily worked on during the offseason. Although the pitching fell behind early in counts, they showed that they can throw multiple pitches in the strike zone and proves that this team has the arms to be successful. 

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