The Palo Alto Vikings defeated cross-town rival Gunn in a three-game series on Friday in the first round of league playoffs.

“This was a really exciting game; we stepped up when we needed to and got it done,” junior third baseman Will Holder said.

A lot was riding on the third game. Not only was the series tied, 1-1, but the game also had major implications for the team’s next season. If the Vikings lost, they would finish in last place in the De Anza Division and be moved down to the lower El Camino Division.

“We knew going into the game that a lot was riding on it and we really wanted to stay in De Anza,” senior Michael Martin said.

The Vikings were down, 5-7, going into the bottom of the sixth inning and needed to get a rally going to get back in the game. A rally is just what they got, in a nine-run inning that included a two-run home run by Holder.

“We just had all the momentum that inning and nothing could stop us,” Holder said.

Palo Alto sat with a very comfortable lead heading into the seventh inning. Martin came in to close out the game and protect the big lead for the final inning.

“It was a great win and we definitely didn’t want to let Gunn end our season,” Martin said.

The game ended on a pop fly to right field that turned into a double play after the runner forgot to tag up.

The Vikings will face Milpitas in another three-game series on Tuesday.