Earlier this season, the Acalanes Softball Dons battled in a 10 inning marathon on the road against the Las Lomas Knights, eventually losing in the most intense game of the year. The rematch took place on Thursday afternoon, May the 4th in Lafayette at the Dons home field in what Head Coach Victor Silva called the most important game of the year. This time the Dons prevailed in another close game to grab the victory 3-1.
Both teams were strong in the pitcher’s circle Thursday as the pitchers for both teams were on their game. Maya Shoenhair got the start for the Dons and allowed just four hits to the Knights for a complete game victory with no walks, no earned runs and had 5 K’s. Shoenhair was sharp early with 2 strikeouts in the first inning to strand a runner at 3rd and the Dons went to bat in the bottom of the 1st inning.
In the bottom half, Emme Young got things going with a Single. Hailey Stripling then got on base via a fielder’s choice that caused an error for Young to be safe at second. Esa Orman was then hit by a pitch to load the bases for slugger Tess Gundacker. Gundacker battled after falling behind in the count to draw a walk to score Young and the Dons took the lead 1-0. Just one batter later, Stripling raced home to score the second run of the game on a wild pitch. Dons up 2-0 after 1 inning!
Shoenhair was back on the rubber for the Dons and the defense was spectacular as the Dons got 12 of the next 13 batters out to take the game to the bottom of the 5th inning, score still 2-0. Orman again had a great game behind the plate, while Lauren Foster made a couple great catches in RF, and Young was able to make some nice plays in CF. Meanwhile, Emmi Cronin at 2B and Stripling at SS were anchoring the infield defense. 3B Avery Robb was the defensive star of the 5th inning making two great plays at the hot corner.
Wanting some insurance runs, the Dons went to work in the bottom half of the 5th inning. Young hit a laser down the left field line that got past the left fielder and flew around the bases for a triple. Up to the plate came Stripling looking to add to the lead, and she delivered with a double to left field. Dons now up 3-0.
The Knights were able to get a run back in the 6th following an error, but the rally ended on a fly ball to center that Young handled easily. The score was now 3-1 Dons.
Heading into the seventh inning, the score was still 3-1 and the Dons needed just 3 outs to secure the win. The Knights leadoff hitter hit a sharp groundball to Stripling that she deftly handed and fired across the diamond to Gundacker at 1st for the first out. Then, Shoenhair induced a popup for the second out of the inning. The Dons just needed one more out. However just like the first matchup between these teams, the Knights were not going down without a fight. A single up the middle brought the tying run to the plate. The next batter hit a short fly ball to left that looked like it was going to fall in, but the Dons outstanding SS Stripling sprinted over to make the final out in left field to secure the final out in the Dons outstanding victory.
Please come out on Monday, May 8th at 4:30 for Senior Day against Campolindo. It is the last home game of the season and to celebrate our 4 incredible Senior players.