The stands of the Harvey West baseball field were uncharacteristically packed with a large crowd of students and parents who all came out to watch the showdown between division rivals UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis.

German politician Helmut Kohl once said, “I have been underestimated for decades. I have done very well that way.”

The same could be said about the UC Santa Cruz men’s baseball team, which is starting to get some of the recognition its success warrants. The team has spent numerous years unnoticed due to its status as a club sport and not an NCAA Division team.