Spring Break is all about fun, relaxation, and maybe a little bit of Hawaii, Mexico or maybe Florida.  But for the Acalanes Dons, they kicked off their spring break not on Diamond Head—but on a baseball diamond in Brentwood. With six straight wins under their belts, the Dons are keeping the good times rolling, smashing the Liberty Lions 13-1.

It all started like the perfect sunny spring day, with just a few clouds. Ando Butner led the charge by drawing a walk and didn’t hang around long. He zipped to third base after James Stadt brought the heat (you might need sunscreen for this hit), cranking a sizzling double to left field. The Dons wasted no time getting on the board, with Drew Asadorian ripping a double to right field, bringing Butner home and putting Acalanes up 1-0. But it wasn’t just a leisurely walk on the beach (or bases) for the Dons—things got heated in the third inning…

The Dons scored six runs on four hits and made it clear: Dons that play together, stay together—and win! Sophomore Jasper Stewart then delivered a clutch two-run single that gave Acalanes a commanding 7-1 lead. His hit went sailing into the outfield like a beach ball on a summer breeze.  But they weren’t done yet. The Dons kept the fun going in the fourth and fifth innings, but the sixth inning? That’s when things went into full-on Spring Break overdrive. Jimmy Cusumano singled in another run, and then senior Ando Butner gave the crowd a real treat with a massive two-run homer that exploded off the bat like fireworks lighting up Key West on a warm night. The crowd went wild as the ball rocketed toward the left-field foul pole, leaving fans in awe of the dazzling display. By then, the Dons had officially taken over the game, leading 13-1 and proving that this was truly a baseball getaway for the Dons.

Offensively, the Dons were living in pure paradise. They racked up 11 hits in total, with Keegan Goddard, Nicky Fosina, Drew Asadorian, Tyler Winkles, and James Stadt each hitting doubles, plus some solid hits from Cusumano and Stewart. Oh, and let’s not forget the killer bunt from Winkles that scored Gonzales—talk about taking a nice little trip around the bases! Butner went 1-for-3 with a homer and two walks, giving the crowd a souvenir they won’t forget. Asadorian was absolutely exploding like Kilauea on a beautiful Hawaiian day, getting on base three times, scoring twice, and showing off his speed with two stolen bases. The Dons were seeing the ball like it was a buffet on a Carnival cruise—picking the right ones to swing at and skipping the others—drawing eight walks, with Butner and Asadorian each taking extra desserts (two walks). 

Spring Break kicked off with Branson Smith all business on the mound, not letting any of the Lions have fun in the sun. Smith earned the win after tossing five innings of one-run ball. He allowed just seven hits, struck out one, and walked none, keeping his pitch count low and giving his team plenty of time to relax and build a big lead. In relief, Riley Gates pitched a scoreless sixth inning, and Gavin Beers followed up with a perfect seventh, each racking up two strikeouts like they were collecting seashells on the shore.

The Dons’ defense wasn’t here for any downtime—sharp, focused, and ready to shut down the Lions. The infield, outfield, pitching, and catching all did their jobs with precision, turning routine plays into flawless execution.  The Dons with their no-nonsense defense snuffed out Liberty’s every opportunity. Whether it was a smooth pop-up catch, a quick double play, or a precise catch and throw from the outfield, the Dons made it look effortless.  Liberty gave it their best shot, but the Dons’ defense was just too solid, keeping the game under control from start to finish.