The Varsity Baseball team headed to San Leandro on Thursday to take on the San Leandro Pirates. The boys came away with a hard fought 6-1 win to push their impressive record to 9-0 for the season.

Junior Jake Colaco started on the hill for the Dons and went 3 scoreless innings, giving up a hit, a walk and striking out 4. He was relieved by Sophomore Branson Smith. Branson pitched 2 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits and a walk before handing the ball to Junior Hank Bauer in the 6th inning. Hank yielded a hit, a run and 2 walks while striking out 2. He left leading 6-1 after 6 frames.

That set the stage for another Sophomore hurler, Isaac Copen. Isaac had the best outing of his young high school career. He mowed down San Leandro hitters with his 90+ mph fastball to close the door on the Pirates and secure another W for the boys from Lafayette. Isaac also contributed two clutch 2 out hits for 2 RBIs to round out his outstanding day.

The Dons defense was sharp, as usual. Third baseman Gavin Bender, second baseman Mason Zirkel and right fielder David Gonzales all flashed the leather throughout the contest with several “Web Gems”. Bender also started a tight home to first double play with catcher Benji O’Rourke and first baseman Sully Bailey in the bottom of the 4th inning that got the boys out of a tense bases loaded jam.

Offensively the Dons were led by David Gonzales with 2 hits and 2 RBIs, Benji O’Rourke with 2 hits and an RBI and the aforementioned Isaac Copen. Mason Zirkel also chipped in with 3 stolen bases and Sully Bailey continued to mash the ball with a long double to right field.

The Acalanes 9 have two home games next week with the Pinole Valley Spartans coming to town on Tuesday at 4pm and the Miramonte Matadors visiting Ken Souza Field on Thursday at 4pm. The future looks bright for this talented squad. Make your plans to see this special crew compete next week. You can’t beat fun at the old ballpark. Go Dons!