The Varsity Baseball team started the Division 1 NCS Playoffs with a 6-0 shutout win against the Freedom Falcons on Tuesday. It improved the Dons record to 22-3 and set up a second round battle on Friday in Lafayette against Casa Grande High School. The boys were fired up and ready to roll for the start of post season play!
Pitching staff ace Peter ‘Rubberarm” Thorn was on the hill for his fifteenth appearance of the season and he did not disappoint the Acalanes faithful. Thorn faced seventeen hitters in his five inning outing. He gave up no runs, three hits and no walks, while striking out three Falcons in a masterful 59 pitch performance.
When Freedom was able to scratch out a hit off Pete the defense consistently had his back. The Dons turned two double plays, including a sweet turn by third baseman Gavin Bender and second baseman Mason Zirkel to end a Falcons threat in the third inning. The boys skillfully flashed their leather throughout the contest.
Thorn was relieved by hurler Brady “BQ” Quinn in the sixth inning. Brady came in throwing strikes. He retired Freedom batters in order while recording a strikeout in his clean inning of work. Brady looked cool and confident on the bump for the Dons in his seventh appearance of the season.
Branson “B Easy” Smith closed out the game with a strong performance in the seventh frame to also retire the Falcons in order. Branson struck out two, including the last hitter of the game. He completed a combined three hitter for the Acalanes pitching staff. Catcher Benji O’Rourke and the rest of the squad appreciated his efforts.
Offensively the boys scored early and often. DH Isaac Copen got the party started in the first inning with a sharp two out single to center field to plate centerfielder Keegan Goddard and Benji O’Rourke. Acalanes put the pressure on the Falcons defense from the get go. The Dons led 2-0 after the first frame.
Benji O’Rourke had a solid game behind the plate and with the bat. O’Rourke knocked in three runs for the day, including a double to left field that scored right fielder David Gonzales and left fielder Everett Glass in the bottom of the fourth. It pushed the Dons lead to 6-0. Benji also walked and scored a run in the contest.
Keegan Goddard had another impressive performance with two hits, two runs scored and his traditional rock solid defense in center.
David Gonzales had a hit, a run scored and an RBI. Mason Zirkel, Everett Glass and Sully Bailey also had hits. Sully added two walks and a stolen base to the stat sheet for his day.
This was another team victory for the Dons. Everyone contributed. It was a little extra sweet for the seniors as they push to stay alive in these rugged Division 1 playoffs.
The boys lived to fight another day. They host the always tough Casa Grande Gauchos on Friday at 5pm at Ken Souza Field. It’s not Friday Night Lights, but its pretty close. Let’s pack the house! Tickets are available on GOFAN, so download the app and get ready for another dramatic tilt in the sunshine. Let’s stay hot boys. Go Dons!
