A rough and disappointing season came to an end last Sunday for the Cal State LA men’s baseball team, but not before they said their final goodbyes to their seniors prior to the season finale against the Cal State East Bay Pioneers.
The pregame ceremonies took place at Reeder Field as the Golden Eagles honored their 12 seniors: Nate Alam, Jackson Bond, Alec Daily, Adam Gordon, Zachary Grande, Angel Lerma, Nick Moisant, Anthony Moreno, Austin Nazabal, Jordan Peabody, Spencer Sundahl, Dylan Suppan, as well as their team manager Mitsuki Nishimoto.
The Golden Eagles gave the seniors one final victory, as they defeated the Pioneers 12-6.
For Golden Eagles’ head coach Vince Beringhele, it is tough losing his seniors.
“We preach family around here, so it’s like losing 12 sons to me,” said Coach Beringhele. “They gave us everything that we could ask for and I couldn’t be happier for them.”
Daily finished his short but memorable career with the Golden Eagles with a start on Senior Day. Despite spending only one season with Cal State LA, Daily will not forgot the connections that he has made with his teammates.
“We been through a lot this year off the field, but we all lean on each other to get through it. You don’t remember the plays, you remember the guys,” said Daily.
Nazbal, who spent three seasons with the Golden Eagles, told the University Times, “My biggest takeaway for myself was bouncing back from the broken jaw injury earlier this season and for the team was the chemistry we had and every obstacle we overcame.”
For Gordon, he learned a lot from Coach Beringhele during his two-year with the program.
“He’s more than just a coach, the man is a teacher,” said Gordon. “My main takeaway is the mental part of baseball. Coach Beringhele made big strides with me and helped keep my mental game in check.”
Gordon went deep for the Golden Eagles one final time as he crushed a two-run home run to right center.
“It was pretty awesome especially with my family out here,” said Gordon as he finished the season with a team-leading nine home runs.
Sundahl, who wanted to go out with a bang, also went deep one last time with a solo shot to right field in the second.
“It was a great feeling, said Sundahl. “Rounding the bases and looking into the stands and celebrating with my teammates, it’s unreal.”
Sundahl first arrived to Cal State LA in 2017 and did not look back.
“It’s been an honor to play for this program, to play for Coach Beringhele and with my teammates over the years,” said Sundahl. “It’s just a great feeling being apart of this program and this school.”
Alam, who has been part of the program since 2017, told the UT that he will not forget the bond he and his teammates have.
“The main thing is the relationships we’ve made as a team this year,” said Alam. “I’ve met some of the greatest guys in my life and I’m proud to call them my brothers.”
Even though their collegiate career has come to an end, the future remains bright for each of these Golden Eagles seniors. The impact they have made and contributions to the program will not be forgotten.
