The Acalanes Dons stepped onto Las Lomas’ field Thursday afternoon and handled business with authority, cruising to an 11–0 shutout and extending their run of wins against the Knights to eight straight games. when they face the boys of Walnut Creek. 

The tone was set early, and it started on the mound. Left-hander Riley Gates was in full control from the first pitch. Working quickly and confidently, Gates carved through the Las Lomas lineup with five dominant shutout innings. He scattered just two hits, struck out 10 Knights, and never allowed the Knights to go anywhere. Every inning felt the same: quick outs, frustrated hitters, and the Dons jogging back to the dugout.

While Gates was dealing, the Acalanes offense got to work. Drew Asadorian opened the scoring in the first inning with a productive groundout that brought home the game’s first run. In the second, Tyler Winkles kept the pressure on with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead. The game stayed under control through the early innings, but the Dons were just getting warmed up.

In the fifth inning, Acalanes flipped the switch. What followed was a relentless rally, disciplined at-bats, patient approaches, and timely hits. The Dons worked several walks and delivered key knocks from Asadorian, Tyler Tarrab, and Winkles, turning a comfortable lead into a runaway inning. By the time the dust settled, seven runs had crossed the plate, and the game was firmly in Acalanes’ hands.

Then came the exclamation point. In the sixth inning, Dylan Meany stepped up and launched a two-run home run to center field, putting the finishing touch on the afternoon. Meany led the offense with three RBIs, while Winkles and Asadorian each chipped in two hits to pace the lineup. The Dons also kept the pressure on the basepaths, swiping two stolen bases and consistently forcing Las Lomas pitchers into tough counts.

Strong pitching. Timely hitting. Constant pressure. The full package. And when Acalanes plays that kind of baseball, they’re tough to stop. With the win, the Dons keep their mojo rolling as they head into a lighter stretch of the schedule.

Up Next: Acalanes vs Miramonte Matadors (3–1) next Thursday at our house.  First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.  

Mark Your Calendars…Circle April 18. The Dons are headed to the big stage. Acalanes will take on Marin Catholic at Oracle Park at 5:30 p.m., home of the San Francisco Giants. The game is a real matchup and part of a special fundraiser with the Dante’s Boys Foundation, making it both a big night for the program and an opportunity to support a meaningful cause.  www.gofan.co (Acalanes)