The varsity girls put it all together in the first round of the NCS Playoffs on Wednesday against The Saint Joseph-Notre Dame Pilots in Alameda, on a picture perfect day. The Dons came out in their road blues and looked in command from the start. The pitching, defense and hitting were all clicking.

 

Maya Shoenhair started in the circle for Acalanes.  The junior pitched a complete game shutout giving up two hits, with two walks and two strikeouts in five innings of work.  At the plate, she also had three hits and five runs batted in during the squad’s 16 hit offensive explosion. Nice game Maya!

 

Solid defense is always a pitcher’s best friend.  Several Don’s distinguished themselves on Wednesday.  Sophomore left fielder Vanessa Choi ran down an absolute rocket to kill a Pilot rally, shortstop Riley Zirkel skillfully handled some bad bounces in the infield and turned them into outs and senior second baseman Avery Robb made several nice plays throughout the afternoon.

 

Sophomore third baseman Santana Tamayo had three hits, two runs batted in and three runs scored, including a majestic bomb to center field that started the second inning rally.

 

Freshman catcher June Natal looked great behind the plate.  She also had three hits, four runs scored and four runs batted in.  Senior center fielder Emme Young had two hits, two runs batted in and two runs scored and Vanessa Choi had two hits, a run batted in and a run scored.

 

The Dons head to Walnut Creek tonight at 5pm to take on the Northgate Broncos in a quarter final NCS battle that pits these two rivals against each other again.  They split the season series, but the Dons have won twice in a row on the Broncos home field over the past two years.  This should be fun tonight.

 

Head to Walnut Creek tonight, 5/23 to see the girls continue their NCS quest!

Go Dons!!!