The Acalanes Dons took on the Tamalpais Red Tailed Hawks late Thursday afternoon on a beautiful, yet blustery day in Lafayette. Fans witnessed a back and forth struggle that ended with Freshman Drew Asadorian smoking a ball into right field to score Benji O’Rourke and give the boys a 6-5 walk off win!
It was Drew’s, “Young Bull”, first career hit in High School and it just happened to be a walk off that pushed his team’s record to 7-0 to start the season. For the second game in a row it was the offense that carried the team. Every starter had at least one hit. The attack was led by right fielder David Gonzales, catcher Benji O’Rourke and shortstop James Stadt with 2 hits each.
The Hawks took an early 2-0 lead after a “bad break” first inning for the Dons. The boys came back with a run of their own when David Gonzales crushed a ball down the left field line for a home run to cut the deficit to 2-1 after one inning. The bench exploded when he left the yard and crossed home plate!
The Acalanes scoring resumed in the bottom of the 3rd when centerfielder Keegan Goddard drilled a single to right field with one out. Gonzales came up again and stayed hot with a double to right field to score Keegan. Benji O’Rourke followed and continued his excellent season with a single to center to plate Gonzo and give the Dons a 3-2 advantage.
After a scoreless 4th inning the Hawks were back at it in the 5th, scratching out a run to tie the contest at 3-3. The Dons responded in their half of the frame when first baseman Sully Bailey walked with one out to get the rally started. DH Drew Asadorian was then hit by a pitch to put 2 on with 2 outs. Second baseman Mason Zirkel proceeded to hit the first pitch hit he saw sharply to left field to plate Bailey and give the Dons a 4-3 lead heading into the 6th inning. It was a clutch 2 out knock for Mason.
Tamalpais would not go away though. They clawed back in the top of the 6th with 2, 2 out runs off an Acalanes misplay to take the lead back at 5-4. James Stadt led off the 6th for the boys and doubled to reach second. Left fielder Everett Glass laid down a bunt that was thrown past the first baseman for an error. Stadt scored and the game was tied 5-5.
This was a seesaw affair with both teams exchanging blows throughout the day. Tamalpais was retired in the top of 7th. In the home half of the inning the Dons would not be denied. The bench was loud and the fans felt like something special was about to happen despite giving up the lead. O’Rourke led off with a double to left. Bailey was intentionally walked before third baseman Gavin Bender singled to left to load the bases with no outs. The table was set for Asadorian and he delivered for the 6-5 walk off W!
The Dons were led on the mound by starter Henry Souza. After a weird 1st inning, Henry started putting up his customary zeros. He went 3 innings, giving up 4 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 Hawks and giving up 2 earned runs. Peter ‘Rubberarm” Thorn made his 4th appearance of the season in relief of Henry. He went 2 innings, giving up 1 run on 2 hits and struck out 3. Isaac Copen made an appearance on the hill before Branson Smith came in and threw the final 1.2 innings, giving up no earned runs and striking out 2 to close the door on the Red Tailed Hawks.
The undefeated Dons host the Piedmont Highlanders on Wednesday at 4pm before heading to San Leandro to play the Pirates at 4pm on Friday. The program is growing in notoriety, with impressive State and Metro D-1 rankings. Come out and see this special squad play. Go Dons!