The boys traveled to Clayton Valley Charter High School on Thursday to take on the Ugly Eagles for their
second game of the week, on an unseasonably warm day. Acalanes wore their road grays and came out
swinging. The Dons had runners on in every inning of the game, but it wasn’t enough to win. In the end
Clayton Valley prevailed with a 9-4 victory.
Mason Zirkel started on the bump for Acalanes and did what he has done all year. He threw 4 scoreless
innings against a power packed Ugly Eagle lineup that is loaded with future college players. Mason got
into some trouble in the 5th when he gave up a hit and a walk and a tough call at first that looked like an
out.
Sully Bailey and Peter Thorn followed, but neither hurler could put out the fire. Tyson Bates and
Logan Mikalis finished the game on the hill for the Dons.
The scoring started in the the top of the 4th when Nico O’Rourke and Sammy Lee both singled to start
the inning. Mason Michlitsch then hit into a fielder’s choice before Everett Glass hit another ground ball
to the shortstop, who committed an error, allowing O’Rourke to score and give the Dons a 1-0 lead.
The boys were back at it in the 5th inning. Keegan Goddard was hit by a pitch to start the rally. After a fly
out by Andrew Habas, Gavin Bender smoked a deep drive to right centerfield for a triple to score
Goddard and give Acalanes a 2-0 lead. Nico O’Rourke followed with his second hit of the day, another
triple to deep right center to score Bender and put the Dons up 3-0.
The lead was short lived, for Clayton Valley’s powerful offense responded with an 8 run 5th inning to take
control of the contest. The Dons countered with an Andrew Habas walk to start the 7th inning, followed
by Gavin’s second hit of the day, a sharp line drive off the pitcher, to put two on for the Dons. After a
pop out to 3rd , Sammy Lee got in the batter’s box and drilled a ball down the left field line for his second hit of the game. It scored Habas and cut the lead to 9-4, but it just wasn’t enough. Unfortunately that is
how the game ended, 9-4 Ugly Eagles.
Tough week for the boys, but it is always darkest before the dawn. Buckle up for two tilts with the
Campolindo Cougars this week! The Dons travel to Moraga on Tuesday at 4pm for the first game and
welcome Campo in Lafayette on Thursday at 4pm at Ken Souza Field for the second contest. These
games will most likely determine Acalanes playoff future for the season. Come out and cheer the boys
on. They need you!
Go Dons!