The varsity softball team put on another impressive 13 hit offensive show with their third win in a row on Thursday against the Las Lomas Knights in Walnut Creek. The squad came out in their road blue jerseys with black pants, looking tight. They scored early and often in this lop-sided affair.
Centerfielder Emme Young led off the first inning with a walk to get the party started. Left fielder Vanessa Choi followed with a big swing on an 0-2 pitch that was hit long, it was hit deep and it was outta here!!! Vanessa drilled her second home run of the young season to give the Dons an early 2-0 lead.
#7 Vanessa Choi
But they were not close to done! First baseman Esa Orman (3-3 with 3 runs scored and 3 runs batted in) followed with a single to left. Third baseman Santana Tamayo then singled to right, pitcher Maya Shoenhair reached on an error, catcher June Natal singled to left to score Essa before shortstop Riley Zirkel singled to score Santana, right fielder Lauren Foster then reached base on an infield single, followed by Emme’s second walk of the inning and a line drive single by Esa for her second hit of the inning and before you knew it the Dons were up 8-0 after a half inning!
#10 Lauren Foster
The Knights clawed their way back in their half of the first to tighten the game at 8-4 after one frame and 8-7 after two. The Don’s bats would simply not stay quiet. Lauren Foster (2 hits, 2 runs scored and 1 run batted in) reached on an error to start the 3rd inning, followed by Emme Young’s third walk of the game. Vanessa Choi (2 hits, 2 runs scored and 3 runs batted in) then singled to right to score Lauren and give the girls in blue a 9-7 lead.
The Las Lomas coach remembered the damage that senior Esa Orman has done at the plate over the years. He immediately intentionally walked her to load the bases. Bad move for the Knights. That brought up Santana Tamaya. She got set in the batter’s box and on the first pitch….wait for it…BOOM GOES THE DYNAMITE!!!. Santana hit her second grand slam in two games! She had 5 RBIs in each game so Ms. Tamaya had 10 RBIs for the week. Yikes! The deeeep bomb to left pushed the Acalanes lead to 13-7 on one swing.
#21 Santana Tamayo scoring on her second of 2 Grand Slams in one week!
The Dons continued to add runs. In the 4th inning the girls plated another 4 runs to push the lead to 17-7, the eventual final score. Senior centerfielder Emme Young singled in that inning to record her 120th career varsity hit at Acalanes. An impressive feat to say the least. For the game, she went 1-1, with a hit, 4 walks, 3 runs scored and an RBI. Emme has been the quintessential lead off hitter for the team for years. Her selfless play offensively and defensively drives the squad.
#2 Emme Young
Maya Shoenhair started in the circle again for the Dons. She seemed to gain energy from the offensive explosion. Maya did not allow a run in the 3rd, 4th and 5th inning before the contest was called by the “10-run rule” again. She got a complete game win and gave up 4 earned runs while striking out 5 Knights.
#1 Pitcher Maya Shoenhair
The Dons improved their record to 3-1 with this victory against their neighboring rivals. They take on three teams this week. Come out and watch the lady Dons!
- Monday, 3/10 at 4:30p vs. Pinole Valley Lady Spartans – AWAY
- Wednesday, 3/12 at 4:00p vs. Piedmont Highlanders – AWAY
- Thursday, 3/13 at 4:00p vs. Mt. Diablo Lady Devils – AWAY