Home of the Dons!

Defense! Defense! Defense! The Varsity Dons increased their win streak to 4 games with a win over the
Vacaville Bulldogs on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon at home. The boys used their
successful formula of solid pitching and defense to secure their 5 th win in 6 games.

The defense was simply fantastic!
The Dons were led by the “Minister of Defense”, James Stadt at shortstop. He made two sparkling plays
that literally saved the game. In the second inning, with a runner on second, he fielded an absolute
missile from the seat of his pants and threw a one hop dart to first baseman Mason Michlitsch for the
third out of the inning. That was just a precursor of things to come. In the top of the 7 th inning, with
runners on second and third with two outs, he absolutely stole a hit from the Bulldogs. He snagged a
sure single up the middle and threw a laser to Michlitsch to end the game and notch another win for the
boys in blue.

Henry Souza started the game on the hill for Acalanes and went 3 innings, giving up two hits, three
walks, a run and recording three strikeouts. He got into some trouble in the 4 th inning when the first two
runners reached with nobody out.

Peter Thorn replaced Henry, for the Dons. Vacaville’s first batter against Thorn hit a rocket to left field that looked like it would leave the yard, until left fielder Keegan Goddard reached up, as he banged into the fence, and made a great catch! After that, “Rubber Arm Thorn” got the boys out of the jam and back into the dugout. Peter pitched 4 innings and recorded two strikeouts to close out the game in dramatic fashion.

Great plays by all of the outfielders (Goddard, Habas and O’Rourke) and the “Minister of Defense”, Stadt,
prevented the Bulldogs from adding any more runs. The defense dominated, the pitching was solid and
the Dons were able to generate just enough activity on the base paths to squeeze out a 2-1 win.

Offensively the Dons did what they needed to do to get the W. Mason Michlitsch led the attack with
two clutch hits and an RBI. Ironically the hardest ball he hit was turned into a double play in the first
inning. Andrew Habas added a hit, a walk, a run scored and a stolen base to his stat line. Acalanes put a
lot of runners on bases with walks and hit batsman, but runs were hard to come by on this sunny
afternoon. The battle cry “Do it for the Boys!” could be heard throughout the afternoon from the Dons
dugout. These guys really play for each other.

The victory improves the team’s record to 5-2. Dons face Liberty onThursday and head to Carmel High for a field trip game on Saturday. Pitching and Defense win! Go Dons!