Rivalries are defined as the state of two people or groups engaging in a lasting competitive relationship. Examples include Yankees vs. Red Sox, Michigan vs. Ohio State, North Carolina vs. Duke, David Letterman vs. Jay Leno, Al Capone vs. Eliot Ness, Hatfields vs. McCoys, Taylor Swift vs. Kanye West,  Tanya Harding vs. Nancy Kerrigan, and me vs. my wife when trying to decide who is going to do our laundry. 

According to political scientist John Vasquez, equality of power is a necessary component for a true rivalry to exist.  If that is the case, then Acalanes vs. Campolindo, two schools that are only 4 miles apart, fit the description perfectly.  From 2013-2022, the JV Dons were 10-9 vs the Cougars, although the Cougars outscored the Dons 79-68 over that timeframe.

Against this backdrop, the Cougars were able to even up the series with a 8-3 victory.  The Dons offense was able to score 3 runs on 7 hits in the rain shortened 5 inning game.  Cole Gwaltney and Augie Martinez had 2 hits each for the second game in a row, while Dominic Patitucci, Brady Wall, and Isaac Copen also registered hits.  Martinez, Patitucci, and Wall had RBIs.

Brendan Miles got the start on the mound and pitched the Dons first complete game on the season.  He went all 5 inning giving up 8 runs on 9 hits and 1 walk.  

The Dons defense continued to struggle, committing 7 errors on the day.  However, outfielders Pecci, Copen and Gwaltney continued to play well, and catcher Patitucci was a backstop behind home plate, catching or blocking every ball that came his way. 

Get to know Coaches: Jim’s favorite TV show is “Game of Thrones” and Dan’s is “Always Sunny in Philadelphia”

The team plays the second game of the double header at Campolindo tomorrow @ 4pm