LAFAYETTE, CA — The Acalanes Freshman Dons (2-4) bounced back in a big way on Friday, avenging an earlier loss this week to the Dublin Gaels with a commanding 19–1 victory fueled by dominant pitching and a relentless offensive attack.
Right-hander Luke Fishman set the tone from the start with a strong outing on the mound. Fishman battled through five innings, allowing just three hits and one run while striking out one and walking two. Working efficiently and keeping Dublin off balance, Fishman controlled the game from the first pitch and gave the Dons exactly the kind of steady presence they needed.
He also helped his own cause at the plate. Fishman collected two hits and drove in four runs, including a towering shot in the bottom of the fourth that split the gap in left-center field and one-hopped the fence for a bases loaded, stand-up triple.
While Fishman controlled the game on the mound, Tyler Cosso led the offensive charge. Cosso delivered the biggest swing of the day with a bases-clearing double and finished with three runs scored and four RBIs, anchoring a lineup that produced from top to bottom.
The Dons’ offense never let up. Acalanes piled up 13 hits, drew 12 walks, and batted around three separate times, overwhelming Dublin with constant pressure on the bases.
Stone Jaquet turned in one of the most complete performances of the afternoon. He went 2-for-4 at the plate with two singles, one walk, three RBIs, scored twice, and stole a base. Jaquet also flashed the leather in center field, making an exceptional running catch deep in the gap to rob Dublin of extra bases.
The Dons were sharp defensively as well, making several key plays early before the game broke open. In the top of the first inning, Dublin threatened with two runners on and one out as their cleanup hitter stepped to the plate. The batter smoked a one-hop liner between short and third, but Jonny Rubin gloved it cleanly at shortstop and fired to Jackson Cooper at second. He quickly turned and delivered a strike to first baseman Drew Megibow to complete a crisp 6–4–3 inning-ending double play that stopped the Gaels’ rally cold.
And no pitcher ever dominates like Fishman did without a trustworthy backstop. Today was no exception as catcher Alex Choi called a stellar game.
At the plate, the production kept coming. Cooper continued his hot hitting, going 2-for-3 with a single, a double, and three runs scored. Luke Kelly and DJ McClellan each contributed timely singles and drove in two runs apiece.
With the game well in hand, Bobby Ruhl came on in relief to close things out, tossing a scoreless inning and striking out one.
After a tough loss to Dublin earlier in the week, the Dons answered in emphatic fashion. Behind strong pitching and a relentless lineup that delivered throughout the order, Acalanes put together its most complete game of the young season.
