The Varsity Dons defeated Albany 8-4 on Thursday in an important Division 3 road game, marking their third consecutive victory in NCS Division 3 play to remain undefeated in Division 3 Games. Albany, known for its strong program, faced a complete team effort from the Dons, who secured the win with a commanding 6-run inning in the top of the third.

The Dons took an early lead by scoring two runs in the top of the first. Avery Robb walked with one out, and Esa Orman followed with a double down the left-field line, putting runners at second and third. A clutch two-out single by Maya Shoenhair to right field brought home Robb and Lulu Levy, who was pinch-running for Orman.

Albany responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, but the Dons broke the game wide open in the third inning. Robb once again led off with a walk, followed by another Orman single. Santana Tamayo’s single drove in Robb, and Riley Zirkel’s perfect bunt resulted in a throwing error by the Albany catcher, scoring two more runs and advancing Zirkel to third base. Lana Cerejo singled up the middle to bring home Zirkel. Vanessa Choi then sacrificed Nicole Parlett, pinch running for Cerejo, over to third base to set up Lauren Foster, who smashed a single to left field to bring in Parlett. After Foster advanced to second, Emme Young came through with her own clutch 2 out hit to bring home Foster for the sixth run of the inning.  

Cerejo started in the circle for the Dons, allowing only five hits and two runs over four innings while striking out three. The biggest of those strikeouts came in the third inning, with runners on second and third, with only one out, as Cerejo induced a foul ball pop-up for out number two and then got the final out of the inning with a brilliant strikeout with a fastball on the outside corner. 

The defense was strong, particularly in the outfield, where Choi made two difficult catches in left field and Young in center field made a catch near the wall and threw out a runner at third. Foster anchored the defense in right field with six putouts and two assists throwing out two runners at first base. The infield was solid with a collection of Dons (Shoenhair, Parlett and Ella Greenfield) holding down 1B, with Tamayo at 3B, Robb at 2B and Zirkel at SS.  Orman caught the entire game, didn’t allow a single pitch past her and threw out a runner attempting to steal.

Foster, the Dons’ number nine hitter led the team with three hits in four at-bats, while Young, Cerejo and Orman each collected multiple hits.

Shoenhair pitched the final three innings, allowing two runs (one earned) with one strikeout and no walks. The game ended fittingly with Foster catching a fly ball in right field for the final out.

The Dons will next face Piedmont in a home game on Monday, with the first pitch set for 4:00 PM.