League play is heating up, and your Acalanes Dons are right in the thick of it — battling hard, winning big, and writing one heck of a story.
So far, the Dons have split their league matchups — first with Benicia and most recently against Alhambra. There’s something about that Benicia home field that’s got us shaking our heads. Maybe it’s the turf, maybe it’s the air — next time, we’re bringing sage. The Dons dropped a tough one there, 8–3, but flipped the script at home, taking the rematch 4–2. Austin McManamon was electric on the mound, Isaac Copen delivered clutch RBIs, and the baserunning? Elite. Acalanes has been stealing bases like it’s an art form — averaging 3.5 per game, nearly double the national average of 1.8. Speed is our weapon, and we’re not afraid to use it.
Last week was all about Alhambra. The first matchup was on the road, at a field with no outfield fence — a huge shift for visiting teams. The Dons battled but came up short, 6–2. Then came Thursday. Cold weather. Big crowd. And 15 MLB scouts in the stands to watch Alhambra’s ace and senior Cameron Millar, a University of Arizona commit. But it was the Dons as a whole who stole the spotlight.
Branson Smith (class of 2026) took the mound and made it his stage. He recorded 25 of the 27 outs — a masterpiece of 8 1/3 innings, giving up just three hits and striking out five over 106 pitches. His ERA? Now a razor-sharp 1.64. A scout behind the Acalanes scorekeeper heard it said it best: “This kid is all over the strike zone — if he adds 3-4 mph, I’ll be coming back to see him.” Even The Mercury News had to give the Dons their shoutout, calling it a “high-level pitchers’ duel” — and one where Acalanes was just a little stronger.
Cody Michlitsch sealed the deal with the final two outs, setting the stage for late-game heroics. Ninth inning. Two outs. Tie game. Nicky Fosina steps up and delivers — a game-winning single to score David Gonzales, who flew around from second to home like he had rockets on. Walk-off win. Final score: 1–0, Dons. Ando Butner, Keegan Goddard, and Tyler Winkles all chipped in hits, and the whole squad showed what Acalanes baseball is all about: grit, grind, and rising to the moment.
Dons Recap as of right now:
Alright, so maybe diving catches and double plays don’t get the big cheers like a homer, but let’s be real — that’s the stuff that actually wins ballgames. And the Dons? Their defense is straight-up legit.
You don’t always get applause for just doing your job, but these guys are locked in every single pitch, every single inning. They’re quick, yeah, but it’s more than just running fast. It’s like they already know where the ball’s going — that first step is killer. They read the game like a book and their internal clock? Built different.
Try hitting it through the Dons’ infield — you’re hitting it into a barricade. They shut down rallies before they even start. And the outfield? With Goddard, Butner, and Gonzales tracking balls down like heat-seeking missiles? Forget trying to hit a single, it’s not happening…you are out!
Sure, we all love the long balls and big innings. But don’t sleep on the walk — because with this team, that’s just the fuse for something bigger. They will take that walk and turn it into chaos. Because when it comes to running the bases? That’s Acalanes’ signature. It’s not just about speed — it’s about instinct, pressure, and timing with Gonzo, Butner, Asadoriian, and Goodard, getting on base is more fun than a day at Disneyland. Oh, and if Ben Peccii hops in to pinch run, put your bet down in Vegas on this rocket. Go ahead and update the scoreboard. And let’s not forget the sticks. Stadt, Goddard, Asadorian, and Copen set the table, and Butner, Gonzales, Winkles, and Fosina keep the line moving. This team doesn’t just score — they make pitchers sweat every inning. The big hits are fun. But the pitching, defense, baserunning, and relentless pressure? That’s the Dons’ heartbeat. And right now, it’s pounding loud.
Now it’s Campo Week. We’ve split with Benicia and Alhambra — dropped the away games, but owned the home turf. Benicia may be sitting at #1 with one league loss… but you know who handed them that L? Your Acalanes Dons. Fear the Blue. This week is our week. No pity for the kitty. No letups. No excuses. Just Dons baseball: fast, focused, and fueled by pride.
Campo’s up next. They’re 0–4 in league, but don’t let that fool you — every game’s been a fight:
- Lost to College Park: 10–9 and 5–4
- Lost to Benicia: 5–3 in extras, and 7–0 (okay, that one got away)