It was a good day to be a Don and even a better day if you are a Softball Don, as they took down Salesian, 17 to 8 on Wednesday.   The game was to be an away game, but as the Salesian field was underwater, the Dons played at home as the visiting team.  It didn’t matter, home or away – the Dons came to play!

The Dons grabbed the lead early, as Tess Gundacker in the first inning with a hit to center, scoring Hailey Stripling, the first of her 4 runs scored on the day.  The Dons pulled away for good with six runs in the second inning.  In the second inning Sophia Alvarado singled on a 2-2 count, scoring two runs.  Then Gundacker was back at the plate and hit it to center again, but this time it went over the fence for a HOMERUN, scoring three more for the ‘Blue’. 

Lana Cerejo started on the rubber for Acalanes Varsity Dons and pitched great, only surrendered three runs on two hits over the first two innings. Then freshman Maya Shoenhair made her Dons debut by striking out two in a row to start the third inning and went on to pitch the final 5 innings.  She collected five strikeouts for the day while allowing only 2 walks and 3 earned runs. 

Offense was on fire as the Dons tallied 14 hits on the day.  Emme Young, Gundacker, Stripling, Ese Orman, and Alvarado all collected multiple hits for Acalanes Varsity Dons.  Young did the opposing team no favors on picking up four hits over four at bats, plus a walk while leading off for the Dons as she walked in the first, singled in the second, singled in the third, singled in the fifth, and singled in the seventh.

In addition to all the runs crossing the plate, the Dons defense was sturdy with Orman anchoring the team behind the plate.  The infield made several stellar plays highlighted by Avery Robb playing a great 3rd base all game, while Emmi Cronin with some great stops at 2nd and Lulu Levy made a highlight catch in Left Field to end the 5th inning.    

Dons face the Enicial Jets on Friday.