The Varsity Softball team defeated Berean Christian in a Tuesday home contest 5-3 in a close game that featured some timely hitting with some solid pitching and defense.   The score was 2-2 heading into the bottom of the 5th inning when to Dons exploded for 3 big runs to take control of the game to go 2-0 in league play and improve to 5-3 on the season.  

The Eagles from Berean Christian opened the scoring in the game in the second inning, taking the early 1-0 lead.   After scoring their first run, there were still runners on 2nd and 3rd with only one out.   Lana Cerejo, who got the start in the circle for the Dons, got a strikeout for the second out of the inning.   And then a hard ground ball hit the first base bag and the ball popped straight up in the air.   A heads up play by Gabby Huerta, who never gave up on the play, calmly fielded the ball and tossed it to 1B Esa Orman for the final out of the inning.  

The Dons got on the board in the bottom of the second inning.  After Ella Greenfield got on base, Avery Robb came in to pinch run.   Robb advanced to second base before Riley Zirkel smashed a double to left field to drive in Robb and tie the game 1-1.   After Emme Young walked, Vanessa Choi hit a ground ball to the second baseman to bring home Zirkel and the Dons take the 2-1 lead after 2 innings.   

Now to the third inning and the dangerous Eagles were at the top of the order.  The leadoff hitter hit a ball just down the left field line and ended up at second base.  Eventually the Eagles would get a run in on a long double to left, but two consecutive nice plays from Zirkel at Shortstop got the Dons out of the inning with the game tied 2-2.  

Cerejo settled in after the third and started to pound the strike zone getting ahead of almost every batter surrendered just six hits and three runs (two earned) over seven innings, striking out three and walking just one.   

With the score still tied 2-2 in the bottom of the 5th, Young got things started for the Dons with a single, followed by a Choi sacrifice bunt.  Orman then hit a long fly ball off the wall to drive in Young to take the lead again.   Then with 2 outs, starting Catcher Greenfield came through with a clutch single to drive in both Orman and Santana Tamayo to take a commanding 5-3 lead.  

From that point, Cerejo was able to take control of the game only allowing one more run for the complete game victory while the defense continued to make great plays.   On offense, Zirkel led the team with three hits in three at bats as Greenfield led the team with 2 RBIs and Young got on base in every at bat.  

All around a very nice win for the Dons, who face league rival Las Lomas at Home on Thursday at 4:30.  Come out and support the team as they look to extend their winning streak.