Still unbeaten in 2022 and having just shut out Northgate on the road, the JV Dons returned home to face the formidable Monte Vista Mustangs on a pleasantly warm Saturday.  Using the same proven recipe of stellar pitching, suffocating defense, and pouring it on against relievers late, Dons got almost the same result, a rock solid shutout win.  James Stadt served notice in bottom 1st by leading off with a rocket down the 3rd base line, good for a double, and scored on a double from Mason Zirkel.  The Mustangs managed to avoid further damage in the 1st, and their big lefty starter settled down and was able to keep the Dons off the scoreboard for a while.  The Dons did manage to scratch out another run in the 5th, however.  Paul Kuhner (fresh off crushing a 35-year old school record in 4×100 relay) laid down a beautiful bunt and flew to 1st, beating out the throw, then swiped 2nd, and practically teleported home on a long single to the right from James, safe by a mile.  It was still a pretty tight 2-0 game in bottom 6th, but not for long.  Dons demonstrated outstanding plate discipline, and took a full advantage of the Mustangs pitching change to load the bases up on a trio of walks.  Another pitcher stepped on the mound to face Sully Bailey, and was greeted with a towering fly ball to the right which was caught, but allowed Everett Glass to tag up and score easily.  Jake Boselli drew another walk, and Brady Quinn hit a rocket off the 3rd base bag, scoring Wyatt Cooper and Mason.  James lifted another sac fly to the right, scoring Jake, and the Dons ended up batting around.  The Mustangs had no answer, and the final score stood at Dons 6, Mustangs 0.  The Dons were remarkably efficient on offense today, scoring 6 runs on just 5 base hits, helped by 5 walks and two bean balls.  James shone at the plate again, going 2-3 with 2 RBI and a run.  Mason had a hit, a run, and an RBI.  Brady collected 2 RBIs on one hit, and Everett and Paul also got base hits.
The Dons’ pitching and defense were superb once again.  Jack Giorgianni started on the hill, and scattered 5 hits over 4 innings to allow no runs.  Jack struck out 2 while walking no one.  Just when the Mustangs thought they were about to get on the board in the 4th, with the bases loaded, Jack calmly fanned the last batter to end the inning.  Mason stepped in to close the game out, and was nearly perfect over 3 innings, allowing no runs, no hits, and no walks, with 2 Ks, with a lone plunked batter being the only blemish on the otherwise impeccable outing.  The pitching duo benefited from having a rock solid defense behind them.  James led the infield again at SS by throwing out 4 base runners, and Everett started a 5-4-3 double play in the 1st.
Sporting an 8-0-2 record, Dons will look to keep the streak going next Wed when they travel across 680 to Las Lomas.