The Acalanes Varsity Dons delivered a commanding performance on Thursday, defeating the Campolindo Cougars 14–3 in a statement win at home.
Leading the offensive charge was sophomore June Natal, who was flawless at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three singles and three RBIs. Natal set the tone early and consistently applied pressure on the Cougars’ defense throughout the game.
In the circle, senior Maya Shoenhair earned the win with a strong outing, allowing just two hits and three runs over five innings while striking out nine. Despite issuing five walks, Shoenhair controlled the game and kept Campolindo from gaining any momentum.
The Dons wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. In the bottom of the first inning, Natal singled to center to drive in a run, followed by a triple from junior Vanessa Choi and a walk from freshman Addison Horwath, each bringing in a run to give Acalanes an early lead.
The game broke wide open in the second inning when the Dons erupted for eight runs. Shoenhair sparked the rally with a two-run double, while Natal added another two-RBI single. Contributions continued across the lineup, including RBI hits from junior Santana Tamayo and junior Ella Greenfield, as well as productive at-bats that brought in runs on fielder’s choices.
Acalanes continued to build on their lead in the third inning, with Choi doubling in a run and Horwath adding a two-run single to extend the advantage.
The Dons finished with 12 hits on the day, with both Natal and Shoenhair driving in three runs apiece. Choi and Greenfield also contributed multiple hits in a well-rounded offensive effort.
Several players saw action in the game, with Avery Stoneman, Sosi Keadjian, Kirpa Chadha, and Ashlyn Fogarty all contributing. Chadha entered as a courtesy runner, while Stoneman, Keadjian, and Fogarty each took turns in the outfield.
The energy extended beyond the field, as young fans from the LMYA Cuties and Scoops softball teams showed up in full force, providing a lively and supportive cheering section.
The Dons will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup at home on Tuesday against College Park.
Go Dons! 💙