The San Ramon Valley JV put 8 batters to the plate in the top half of the fifth inning on a sunny Wednesday afternoon and turned a 1-1 pitchers’ duel into a 5-1 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. Sneaking the game in before the biweekly “storm of the century” hit the Bay Area and wiped more games off the schedule, the Dons bats couldn’t keep up with those of the Wolves as the game wore on and were outhit 12-3 on the day.

It looked like Austin McManamon would help get all of the fans home in time for Jeopardy, as he and the SRV starting pitcher made quick work of the opposing lineups through the first four frames. McManamon needed only 55 pitches to get through the first four innings, before the Wolves solved him on their third time through the lineup. In trouble in the top of the fifth, he was relieved by Brendan Miles, who, with inherited runners dancing on bases all around him, couldn’t get the fire put out fast enough.

In the home half of the fifth, Dons 3B Cody Michlitsch drove in LF Zach Birrell with only the Don’s second hit of the day, closing the gap to 5-2, but they could get no closer. Gavin Beers made his second relief appearance of the young season, keeping the Dons within striking distance with a scoreless top of the sixth.

Pinch hitter David Roux showed he was much closer to being mended than still on the mend, one-hopping the wall in left field with a booming double to start the bottom of the seventh, putting some hope in the Dons’ dugout, but after he later came around to score, the Dons top of the lineup could not keep the hopes alive, and the Wolves headed back down the 680, 8-3 victors.

The JV squad will let the rain abate and will return to action at home Monday March 4, hosting the Trojans of Petaluma.