Saturday’s showdown was a true pitcher’s duel in which the Acalanes Dons secured a flawless 3-0 win against the Bishop O’Dowd  Dragons. Junior Branson Smith was dominant on the mound, recording 18 outs and a boatload of strikes to lead the charge. But it wasn’t just the pitching that impressed—Acalanes showcased some exceptional fielding, baserunning,  and batting making every opportunity count.

 

The Dons wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in the first inning. Keegan Goddard led off with a single, setting up James Stadt, who crossed the plate for the first run of the game. Ando Butner followed with a deep double, while Ben Pecci, Stadt, Goddard, and David Gonzales all chipped in with key singles. The team’s chemistry was undeniable, and their hustle was on full display.

  

Speaking of hustle, Acalanes’ baserunning was a key factor in the win. You don’t need to be the fastest player to make an impact—heart, savvy, and effort go a long way, and the Dons brought all of that and more.  The Dons had five stole bases with Pecci, Butner, and Stadt each taking full advantage of gaps in the Dragons’ defense and making it across the plate for the Dons. When the Dons are on the basepaths, it’s like watching a track meet—they run with purpose and make every step count.

The Dragons just couldn’t seem to find their fire in this matchup, as Acalanes’ defense was firing on all cylinders. The Dons were everywhere, smothering any opportunity the Dragons tried to create. Drew Asadroian at third and  Stadt at shortstop made several big-time plays, each one locking down any potential threat. Nicky Fosina at first was a vacuum, stretching like a rubber band to scoop up throws and get the outs, making it look effortless.   Goddard was no slouch in center field either, coming through with some huge catches to keep the Dragons’ offense at bay. In the end, the Dragons were left with no fire to breathe, their flames extinguished by the Dons’ relentless defense.

   

But the real star of the show was David Gonzales. The senior outfielder—a California All-State Second Team selection in 2024—went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two stolen bases. He was a constant presence on the field, making things happen both at the plate and on the bases. If you weren’t paying attention, you missed the Gonzales show.

Of course, Smith deserves his moment in the spotlight too. He earned the win with six innings of near-perfect pitching, allowing just four hits and no earned runs. Smith struck out six batters and walked none—talk about precision. Cody Michlitsch came in for the save, closing things out with three up and three down and proving that the Dons’ pitching depth is as strong as their offense.

Acalanes’ 3-0 victory marked their largest margin of the season and sent a powerful message. From the mound to the bats to the base paths, the Dons demonstrated the key ingredients that make them special: chemistry, effort, and a hunger for more. With players like this leading the way, they’re ready to keep rolling.