Smith Was the Maestro. The Defense Was the Symphony.

Call him B Steady. Call him B Stealth. Call him B Money. Whatever moniker you choose, Branson Smith was absolutely cash on Wednesday. The right-hander didn’t just pitch, he went to work with basically 3 up and 3 down each inning. Six quick innings, eight strikeouts, one hit, no walks, no runs, no drama, and eighteen stone-cold outs.  Branson didn’t break a sweat, he broke spirits.  

Smith must moonlight as a symphony conductor because on Wednesday, he turned the ballfield into a concert hall, and the Dons played their music.   Smith set the tempo from the first pitch, first inning, and the first three strikeouts of the game.  But even a maestro needs a symphony, and behind him.  The Acalanes defense rose to the occasion, playing every note with crisp precision and unshakable rhythm.   From the mound to every corner of the diamond, harmony was in motion.  The outfield moved in sync, like a well-oiled machine. Reads were sharp, routes clean, and communication flawless. They tracked everything with purpose—no gaps, no hesitation, just perfect rhythm.  At shortstop, James Stadt made some big moves, and Jimmy Cusumano made big catches at first base. Every ball found a glove like it was reading from the same sheet music, timed, rehearsed, effortless.  Two double plays, slick stops, no errors, and the defense didn’t just play ball—they played a symphony. Encore, anyone?

First Inning with a Bang on the First Pitch

Ando Butner didn’t even let fans get comfortable—he slapped a leadoff single, jumping on the first pitch and lining a clean single to set the tone.   James Stadt followed with a well-struck double, moving Butner into scoring position. Then Jimmy Cusumano stepped in and did exactly what was needed, lifting a sac fly to bring Butner home and put the Dons on the board. 1-0. 

Drew Asadorian jumpstarted the action in the bottom of the second, lining a single and instantly shifting into overdrive, turning the basepaths into his personal racetrack. Up came Ando Butner, cool as ever, and delivered another textbook sac fly. Just like that: 2–0, Dons.

Fast forward to the sixth inning, where Tyler Winkles dropped a bunt so flawless it could’ve been framed in a museum. He sprinted to first, beating the throw by a mile. Winks is on base! Then, on pitch three, he swiped second  with ease. Next up, Ben Pecci rolled a grounder to shortstop that should’ve been a routine out for your typical Joe—but Ben’s no Joe. His parents named him Benjamin, and his speed is anything but average. “Routine” quickly turned into “uh-oh,” and just like that, it was runners first and second.  Next up, Asadorian. Drops a bunt, hits the gas, now the bases are loaded. That’s just what Drew does. Always dialed in, always dangerous.  A fielder’s choice soon followed, still setting the table with one out and the bases loaded. And then came Ando again—this time drawing a patient, poised walk to push across another run, 3 Dons 0 Wildcats.