The Acalanes Varsity Dons struggled to keep pace with Salesian College Preparatory, falling 10–1 on Monday, February 23.
Salesian jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning after drawing a walk and capitalizing on timely hits to score three runs. They added two more runs in the third inning following a double down the left-field line and broke the game open in the fourth, scoring five runs on three hits.
Senior Maya Shoenhair got the start in the circle for the Dons. Shoenhair, who will lead Acalanes this season as the starting pitcher, is entering her final year as a Don and has committed to play collegiate softball at Sarah Lawrence College in the fall.
One bright moment for Acalanes came from junior Avery DeMent, new to softball, who made her first career play with a pop-fly catch in right field. DeMent made the play look effortless, as if she had been playing the game her entire life.
Offensively, Shoenhair, DeMent, and sophomore Nella Rawski each recorded a hit. Rawski went 1-for-2 at the plate and led the team with one RBI.
Looking for redemption, the Dons came out ready to compete on Thursday, February 26 — and delivered.In a high-scoring matchup, Acalanes Varsity Dons defeated Pinole Valley Varsity Lady Spartans 16–10, collecting 19 hits in the win.
Shoenhair had an outstanding performance, going 3-for-5 at the plate. She launched a solo home run to center field in the second inning and added singles in the first and fifth innings.
#1 Maya Shoenhair
Pinole Valley struck first, scoring one run in the top of the first inning. Acalanes responded immediately in the bottom half, as Santana Tamayo doubled to center field and Rawski singled down the left-field line, each driving in two runs to give the Dons an early lead.
The Dons extended their advantage in the second inning, scoring three more runs. Shoenhair’s solo home run and a two-run double by Vanessa Choi pushed the lead to 7–3.
Shoenhair also started in the circle, pitching all seven innings. She allowed nine hits and 10 runs (four earned), while striking out three and walking four.
Acalanes’ offense was dominant throughout the game. Lauren Foster and June Natal each collected four hits. Tamayo and Choi drove in four runs apiece, while Shoenhair and Ella Greenfield also recorded multiple hits. Choi and Foster each stole multiple bases as the Dons racked up five stolen bases total and turned one double play defensively.
#18 Ella Greenfield
The Dons will travel to Hercules for their next game on Tuesday, March 3rd.