Varsity Baseball Dons Take First of 2 Game Series Vs Miramonte

Last year when the Varsity Dons faced the Miramonte Matadors at Ken Souza field, they handed the ball to then freshman Henry Souza for his first Varsity start.  Henry went 4 strong innings, giving up only 1 unearned run.  On Tuesday, the Mats returned to Ken Souza field, and sophomore Henry improved on last year’s performance.

Henry Souza complete game shout out

Henry retired 9 of the first 10 Mats hitters and kept them off the scoreboard for the first 3 innings.  While the Dons hitters were squaring up balls against the Mats’ ace pitcher, they weren’t able to put any runs on the board until the bottom of the 3rd.   Dante Montgomery (sr) reached 1st when the Mats’ 2nd baseman couldn’t handle his chopper, and advanced to 2nd on a hard-hit single by Miles Bergman (sr).  Dante and Miles then executed a double steal putting them on 2nd and 3rd with one out.  Will Berrien (sr) then laid down a perfect bunt on a suicide squeeze call, and when the pitcher overthrew the 1st basement, Berrien found himself at 2nd while Dante and Miles were back in the dugout having both crossed the plate.  Berrien then stole 3rd and scored when Nico O’ Rourke hit a sacrifice fly to center field.  Dons 3-Miramonte 0.

Dons infield turned THREE double plays, including this one with Dant Montgomery

With the way Henry was throwing, fans sensed those were the only runs the Dons would need.  However, the Dons offense wasn’t done.  In the bottom of the 4th, Gavin Bender (soph) led things off with a single, and advanced to third when Luke Souza (sr) singled to right on a hit and run.  Jack Cusumano (sr) brought Gavin home on a single to left field.  Montgomery followed with a single, and then Luke Souza came home when Bergman hit into a fielder’s choice.  Dons 5-Miramonte 0.

Dons stole FIVE bases including this one by Nico O’Rourke

That was definitely all the runs Henry Souza would need. In both the 4th and the 5th innings, the Mats were able to manage a single off Souza, only to hit ground ball double plays to Montgomery-Bergman-Souza (6-4-3) on the next play.  Souza set them down in order in the 6th.  And after a lead off single in the 7th, Henry initiated a double play on a comebacker that essentially shut the door on any thoughts of a Matador rally.  When the final Mats batter flew out to center fielder Berrien, Henry recorded the 3rd complete game shutout of the season for the Dons.  Henry threw just 70 pitches (73% strikes), gave up 5 hits with no walks, never let a runner get to 2nd base, while facing only 23 batters (only 2 over the minimum in a 7-inning game).  He was backed up a by a Dons defense that played flawless baseball in the field.

Hungry Dons fed well fed by the McPhails and Whites

The Dons and Matadors play again tomorrow (Wed) at 4pm at Miramonte.  Come out and support the Dons.