The development of former Turlock High Bulldog Dakota Edwards has seen its ups and downs at the collegiate level but after an impressive summer baseball outing the previous week, the local right-handed pitcher seems to be on the upswing.

Edwards pitched a no-hitter on June 20 while starting for the North Adams Steeple Cats, a collegiate summer baseball team that competes in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

In that game, the former Turlock Bulldog was able to lead his team to a 1-0 victory as he tossed 108 pitches over nine innings, striking out six and walking two.

“It for sure was a confidence booster, but I have to throw it away and look towards my next start. The moment was kind of surreal,” said Edwards.

It was only the second time in the club's history that a pitcher tossed a no-no.

"It was nerve-racking, but you just gotta get out there and throw strikes," Edwards added.

Edwards also managed to retire the last 16 batters he faced in the game against the Sanford Mainers.

The local who comes off a sophomore campaign at the University of Bridgeport, was also part of an improved Purple Knight squad who ended the 2015 year with a 25-24 overall record. In his first year the team went 17-28-1.

“In college there’s not a difference really between the first and second year, you just become more mature on and off the field. But you could say it’s good that we improved from the first year,” Edwards said. “We had a lot of injuries the first year and we had to start a lot of freshman, we were young.”

Edwards saw some sporadic game time with the Purple Knight this past year, ending the year with an accumulated ERA of 4.67 over 17 1/3 innings with an 0-2 record.

Now after a second season under his belt, including a no-hitter, Edwards is eager to get back on the field with his collegiate teammates and improve upon last year.

“Some goals for next season are to win the conference and make it to regionals along with lowering my ERA and try to become a top 25 pitcher,” Edwards added. “Competing in the summer league has made me realize what talent level I need to compete at the next level.”

Edwards was part of a Turlock High Bulldog team that went 28-3 in the 2013 season, including 15-0 in the Central California Conference.