The Acalanes Softball Varsity Dons hosted the Mt. Eden Monarchs on Thursday and played a close game for the first three innings until the game got away later in the game.  The Dons preseason schedule has been challenge facing larger D1 programs to get them ready for league play, which starts this week with home games against Concord on Monday and Northgate on Thursday.  The first pitch for both games is 4:30.  

The Dons fell behind 1-0 in the top of the first and then battled back in the bottom half of the inning.   Emme Young got things started for the Dons with a walk, and then stole second on the first pitch to Riley Zirkel to get into scoring position.   Zirkel then walked, and Esa Orman followed with a hard single to left to load the bases.   With one out, Maya Shoenhair singled up the middle to score Young and tie the game 1-1.

Once again, the Monarchs put up a run in the top of the 2nd inning, but the Dons fought back again to tie up the game.   Gabby Huerta hit a line drive up the middle to start the inning, and then with 2 outs, Young hit a clutch hit to drive in Huerta to get the game even again 2-2. 

The game stayed tight until the 4th inning when the Monarchs started to pull away.   There were several highlight plays on defense for the Dons.   3B Santana Tamayo made an outstanding diving catch and tag third base with one motion to get a double play.   Later in the game LF Vanessa Choi chased down a fly ball in left field and fired it in to second baseman Avery Robb to double off a baserunner.   

Orman was the offensive star of the game for the Dons going 3-4 at the plate for the second game in a row while Young, Shoenhair, Huerta, Choi and Robb picked up the other hits for the Dons.   

Softball now heads into league play this week with home games against Concord High School on Monday at 4:30 and Northgate on Thursday at 4:30.   Please come out and support the Dons at the Acalanes Softball Field.