The Dons showed up ready and took care of business on the road Thursday, locking in a 5–4 win over the Benicia Panthers.

They didn’t wait around to make noise. In the top of the first, with two outs and nothing going, Tyler Winkles sparked it with a shot for a single, then immediately put pressure on the defense—swiping second and moving to third on a passed ball. Dylan Meany worked a walk, Jasper Stewart wore one to load the bases, and that’s when Cody Michlitsch delivered. He drove a ball deep to left that popped out of the glove with everyone in motion, three runs crossed, and Michlitsch pulled into third, owning the moment. Zach Birrell kept it rolling with a clean single to center to push the lead. Isaac Copen took that energy to the mound and dealt. Two quick strikeouts to open the bottom half, then a routine groundout, no wasted time, no mojo given back. 4-0, Acalanes. 

The Dons stayed on it in the second. Paul Bacon got aboard the hard way, and Drew Asadorian followed by ripping a ball to right. With the defense scrambling, Bacon never hesitated first to third and then all the way home on the misplay. Asadorian slid into second, and just like that, it was 5–0 with the pressure still on.

Copen handled his business, going four innings without giving up a hit, allowing just two unearned runs while striking out four to earn the win. Brady Beeman came in and shut the door to secure the save. The Panthers did get two runs in the second and seventh.  Defense backed it up all day, outfielders tracked down big swings, the infield stayed clean, and  ‘Iron Mitt Meany’ capped it off with a clutch scoop for the final out in the seventh.  

At the plate, Birrell knocked in a run, and Winkles set the tone all game with two hits in four trips. It got tighter late, but the Dons never flinched. They made the plays, kept their edge, and finished it. The series ends split, one apiece. Next up, Acalanes heads to Marin Catholic on Saturday for a 5:30 p.m. game at Oracle Park.