The Acalanes Dons softball team stayed red hot last week, improving their record to 6–2 with two strong wins over Concord and Berean. Despite the rising temperatures, the Dons brought even more heat to the field, showcasing both dominant pitching and clutch hitting.
The week began on the road at Concord with Senior starting pitcher Maya Shoenhair continuing her dominance in the circle, as the hurler rang up 10 strikeouts in Acalanes Varsity Dons’s 12-3 victory over Concord on Tuesday. Shoenhair allowed four hits and three runs over five innings while walking three.
Acalanes Varsity Dons got on the board in the top of the first inning after Sophomore Sensation Prime Time June Natal (carrying on her nickname from her fall Varsity Flag Football season) singled, scoring one run. Junior “Lucky 7” Vanessa Choi was a threat in the batters box when she tripled, scoring two runs. Junior “Nothing Gets By Her Catcher” fired up her bat as well Gabby Huerta singled, scoring one run. Sophomore first baseman Nella Rawski, added to base runners when she got hit by a pitch. And both new-to-softball-but-you-wouldn’t-know-it Junior Avery DeMent and Freshman Addison Horwath got on base with Dement a walk and Horwath singling, scoring one run.
Acalanes Varsity Dons added to their early lead in the top of the second inning after Natal grounded out, and Huerta singled to center field, each scoring one run.
The POWER Junior Santana Tamayo hit a HUGE solo home run to center field in the top of the fourth for the Acalanes Varsity Dons.
Acalanes Varsity Dons collected 11 hits in the game against Concord. Tamayo provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led Acalanes Varsity Dons with three runs batted in. The 3-hole hitter went 2-for-4 on the day. Tamayo, Horwath, Foster, and Huerta each collected two hits for Acalanes Varsity Dons. Acalanes Varsity Dons stole five bases in the game.
Next up was Berean at home and the Dons were on a roll. Again, starting pitcher Shoenhair took the circle for the Dons and Huerta was a wall behind the plate as catcher.
Choi collected three hits in three at bats, as Acalanes Varsity Dons defeated Berean Christian Varsity Eagles 9-8 on Thursday. Choi singled in the fifth inning, singled in the second inning, and doubled in the fourth inning.
Acalanes Varsity Dons got on the board in the bottom of the second inning after Choi singled down the right field line, and Acalanes Varsity Dons scored on a wild pitch, each scoring one run. Rawski held it down at first with some impressive outs and snags on the Dons defense.
Berean Christian Varsity Eagles jumped into the lead in the top of the fifth making the Dons lock in determined not to lose at home!
Acalanes Varsity Dons captured the lead, 7-5, in the bottom of the fifth when Choi singled, scoring two runs, and Huerta hit a sacrifice fly, scoring one run.
Berean Christian Varsity Eagles made the score 8-7 in the top of the sixth after a single, scoring one run, and an error scored two runs.
The Dons went into the last inning bottom of the 7th down 8-7 but at a great spot in the line up with Senior Slap Hitter Lauren Foster up first. The expert slap hitter managed to lay down an absolutely perfect bunt and used her super speed to make it to first without even trying to get her out!
Next up was Tamayo. On the first pitch Tamayo fake bunted allowing room for Foster’s fast feet to steal second standing up easily. Tamayo popped out for the first out.
Now up with Prime Time Natal, who if you remember from flag football season had a Prime Time! In the second pitch Natal doubled a HARD line drive to center field which the center fielder tried a diving catch to catch but missed, which sent Foster and her flash of running in to score helping Acalanes Varsity Dons tie the game at eight in the bottom of the seventh.
Next up was the hitting sensation of Choi who was 3-3 for the day so far with the winning run, Natal, on second and within scoring position. Choi set up a fake bunt. The Berean catcher dropped the ball and Natal took advantage, stealing third. The Berean catcher attempted to throw out Natal, but overthrew the third baseman. Natal, using her exceptional softball IQ, turned on the jets and came in to score the winning run. The dugout and crowd went wild with the walk off win.
Shoenhair earned the win for Acalanes Varsity Dons. The starting pitcher gave up eight hits and eight runs (three earned) over seven innings, striking out five and walking five.
Choi and Natal were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected three hits for Acalanes Varsity Dons while hitting back-to-back. Choi stole two bases.
Next week up for Acalanes Varsity Dons is back to back games with a game at Encinal on Tuesday and a rematch at Las Lomas on Wednesday. Let’s keep it up Dons and fans here’s hoping for some cooler weather in the bleachers! Go Dons! 💙💙💙💙