The Varsity Softball Dons are now half way through their season with a record of 8-4 after a big win over Mt. Diablo on Tuesday winning the game with a final score of 11-4.   The Dons won thanks in part to seven runs in the first inning and then cruised the rest of the way to pick up the win after taking 10 days off for spring break. This game marks the halfway point of the season and getting off to a good start was critical to the game.

Avery Robb was the offensive star of the game, driving in 4 runs on 2 triples while also playing great defensively at both 2B and 3B.   Robb tripled in the first inning, scoring three runs and tripled in the fourth inning, scoring one more.  Also in the first inning, Esa Orman scorched a double down the line to drive in two runs, Lana Cerejo walked with the bases loaded to bring one in, and Lauren Foster singled up the middle scoring one run to put the Dons way ahead early in the game.  

Cerejo stepped in the circle first for the Dons and quickly got through the first inning to start the game. All told Cerejo gave up only gave up one hit, one run (unearned) over the first three innings striking out one and walking one.  Cerejo was extremely efficient, only needing 48 pitches with 28 called for strikes to get through the 3 innings.  Maya Shoenhair then came in to pitch the final four innings in relief to slam the door shut, surrendered 6 hits and three runs while striking out three and walking none.  

Back to more details on the first inning, CF Emme Young got things started with a walk and then quickly stole second base, her first of two stolen bases on the day.   SS Vanessa Choi was then hit by a pitch to set up Orman who doubled down the left field line for the first 2 runs of the game.  3B Santana Tamayo then walked, and LF Lulu Levy was hit by a pitch.   Cerejo walked to bring in a run to make it 3-0 to bring up Robb with the bases loaded.  She smashed a ball down the left field line and cleared the bases to put the Dons up 6-0 with only one out.  RF Foster then hit a ball hard up the middle to finish off the scoring in the first with the Dons leading 7-0 after one inning.  

Offensively, the Dons had six hits in the game, Robb with 2, while Young, Orman, Shoenhair and Foster each collected a hit with Tamayo, Young and Cerejo getting on with a walk and Levy led the team with two HBP.

From that point on, the Dons settled in defensively and played well behind their strong pitching.  Nicole Parlett played first well all day, making many great scoops at the bag, while Ella Greenfield moved from 1st to Catcher halfway through the game and blocked the ball really well the rest of the game on several balls in the dirt.   Riley Zirkel came in the game to play short and made several steady plays and was perfect on all 10 chances.

The Dons kick off the second half of the season to play at Albany High School on Thursday and Saturday at Vanden High School before getting back into league play.   There are just a few home games left for the Dons, please come out and root them on!