The smell of freshly cut grass and the late morning sunshine beaming over many athletes’ heads signaled that sports are back at SSU—Club Sports that is. Sonoma State Club Baseball, also known as Noma Baseball, hosted a doubleheader scrimmage against Analy High School at the historic Seawolves Diamond on the last weekend of September.

Many athletes were excited to play on a historic Seawolves Diamond. “I feel good playing in the Seawolves Diamond,” said Noma Baseball shortstop Kaden Thompson. Thompson added to his comment, “Everytime I come out here to this field with the boys, I feel like we’re recreating history”. 

After Sonoma State University eliminated collegiate sports teams, many of the sports facilities remained empty. Now, however, club sports are taking over the stomping grounds that the previous Seawolves left behind. 

Another athlete proud to play in the Seawolves Diamond was Nino Balistreri, a right-handed pitcher for Noma Baseball. He told the Sonoma State Star, “Playing on this field means a lot to me because many of us never got to play on here in the previous years. Since there is an opportunity to play in this field, we wouldn’t take it for granted”.

The athletes were both competitive and supportive of one another inside the dugout. Even though there were not many bystanders to cheer for the Nomas, all they cared about was playing the right way they were taught and spending time with the teammates they had bonded with over the years on the iconic field.

Noma Baseball had a strong start in the first few innings of the opening game. However, when they exchanged pitchers, the defense lost confidence, giving up a total of 10 runs. In the second game of the doubleheader, they allowed seven runs. In both competitions, they scored the same amount: two runs.

Even though Noma Baseball had a rough start to the season, the team still has several opportunities ahead. Here is the remaining fall schedule for the semester:

10/11-10/12 Vs. Cal Berkeley

10/25-10/26 @NorCal Invitational in Sacramento

11/8-11/9 Vs San Jose State University