Things started out well for the Beavers on Thursday, as they jumped on Diablo Valley College's ace for two runs in the top of the 1st inning.  With two outs sophomore 1B Dalton deVries (Oakmont) singled in RF Alex Gaskin (Jesuit).  Then sophomore LF Jimmy Lunardelli (Oakmont), who had been hit by a pitch and moved up to 2nd on deVries' base hit, stole third and scored when the catchers throw sailed into left field.  That was the end of the good times for the Beavers.  Freshman Tommy Balmain (Oakmont) who a week earlier threw 8 innings against Sierra College allowing just one run, could not get out of the first inning.  He was charged for 5 runs on 4 hits and a walk in just 2/3 of an inning.  Freshman Kirby Broadbent (Oakmont) came on in relief and threw well, at one point retiring 13 straight batters.  A.R.C. got to within one in the 7th inning, as they trailed 7-2 at the time.  The Beavers opened the top of the 7th with 6 straight singles to get the score to 7-6.  With runners on 1st and 2nd and nobody out, DH Colton Freeman (El Camino) was unable to get a bunt down on the first two pitches, then grounded into a double play, as the out was being made at first, the ball got away from DVC's first baseman, who also got hurt on the play.  He was able to get to his feet in time however to throw out deVries at the plate who was trying to score from second for an unorthodox triple play.  DVC answered right back however, scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the 7th off of three A.R.C. pitchers.  The Beavers allowed three runs to score on wild pitches on the day.

The regular season finale is Friday at 2:30 pm at Beaver Field.  The Beavers playoff hopes hinge on a win against Diablo Valley College tomorrow and certain other scenarios, the main one being Reedley College defeating the College of Sequoias, which would likely enable the Beavers to get in the playoffs.