The Dons were on fire Tuesday, taking down the Miramonte Matadors with a dominant 9-4 win. The Dons, already riding a four-game win streak, delivered a season-high run total, leaving no doubt about their strength. Each swing, each pitch, and each stolen base was a showcase of the Dons’ powerful offense and alert base running.
The action started quickly. In the top of the first inning, Keegan Goddard stepped to the plate with two duckies on the pond and he wasted no time putting Acalanes on the board. With one solid swing, Goddard sent the ball flying over the center fielder, sending it deep for a three-run homer. The ball soared high and far, a majestic blast that set the tone for the rest of the game. The dugout erupted, and the Dons were up 3-0 with no outs. But the Dons were not done. Tyler Winkles followed up still in the top of the first with a slow roller to shortstop, but Winkles’ speed proved too much to handle, as he beat the throw to first, bringing in two more runs. Drew Asadorian crossed the plate first, and David Gonzales, using his speed, rounded third to score. Just like that, the lead was 5-0.
The Dons’ smart, quick base running was on full display in the second inning after Keegan Goddard worked a walk. With his signature aggressiveness, Goddard wasted no time, swiping second base and then pushing the envelope by stealing third on the same pitch. When a wild pitch skipped away soon after, Goddard was off to the races, sprinting home to extend the lead to 6-0. It was a heads-up, daring play that highlighted the Dons’ sharp awareness and alertness, with the dugout echoing the excitement of the play.
As the game wore on, the Dons kept the pedal to the metal. In the sixth inning, Winkles with a sharp single found the gap between center and right field. It was a clean hit that sent him to first, and the Dons didn’t waste time. A few batters later, James Stadt stepped up and crushed a pitch to deep right field. The ball rocketed off his bat, sailing towards the hills. As it hit the grass, David Roux rounded third and scored easily. Winkles, who had hustled from second, followed suit, crossing the plate for another run. The score was now 8-2, and Acalanes looked like a well-oiled machine.
In the top of the seventh, Asadorian (3 for 3 for the day) smacked a beauty to center field, then turned on the afterburners, to steal third. With a perfect day at the plate, he sealed the deal when a wild pitch bounced away from the catcher. Without missing a beat, Asadorian made a break for home, sliding in safely to make it 9-4 and putting a cherry on top.
Big Dons Bats Attack, Matadors Can’t Fight Back! The Dons were on fire, piling up 10 hits and making it clear the Matadors had no answer. Keegan Goddard set the tone with a booming home run, while Ben Pecci added a clutch double to keep the pressure on. Jasper Stewart, Asadorian, Winkles, Gonzales, and Stadt all contributed singles, each one finding a hole. The Dons were relentless at the plate, showing that every swing, big or small, kept the pressure cranked up! The Dons’ offense was sharp, finishing with just two strikeouts in the entire game, continuing their trend of disciplined hitting with no more than four strikeouts in three straight contests. It’s clear—Acalanes is getting better with every at-bat, and their relentless play is making them a team to watch.
On the base paths, the Dons were equally unforgiving. Goddard, Gonzales, and Asadorian were flat-out nightmares for the Matadors, with Goddard and Gonzales stealing two bases and Asadorian swiping a jaw-dropping four—yes, four! His lightning speed kept the Matadors on edge all game. The Dons stole a total of nine bases, charging the basepaths like they were running a full-court press in March Madness!
Dons Defense Locks It Down: Matadors Can’t Get Past Acalanes! Sophomore Austin McManamon was lights out on the mound, tossing two shutout innings to start the game. He gave up no hits, allowed just one unearned run, and struck out two batters without issuing a walk. His composure and control showed that he’s a force to be reckoned with, setting the tone for the Dons’ dominant pitching performance. The Dons’ bullpen—featuring Riley Gates, Gavin Beers, Brendan Miles, and AJ Hastings—picked up right where Austin left off, keeping the Matadors at bay and ensuring the victory.
This victory pushes the Acalanes record to a stellar 6-1-1. Over their last three games, the Dons have averaged 8.0 runs per game, a clear indicator of their offensive power. Looking ahead, the Dons will face Liberty at 4:00 p.m. on Friday. Liberty holds a 4-3 record. One thing is clear: The Dons are All In. With their explosive offense, heads-up base running, and unwavering focus, they’re ready for whatever challenge lies ahead.
