After a rousing 18-0 win in the first round in the NCS Playoffs on Wednesday, the Dons headed to Walnut Creek on Thursday to take on the rival Northgate Broncos in the quarterfinals. The two teams split their league games. The girls had actually won the last two years on the Broncos home turf, so the Dons had a reason to believe squaring off against the #1 seed, at their place.
Junior Maya Shoenhair started in the circle for Acalanes. She pitched three and two thirds innings, and gave up seven hits, three earned runs and a walk. Sophomore Margaux Stone pitched two and a third innings and gave up two hits, no runs and a walk with two strikeouts.
The defense was solid. Senior center fielder Emme Young made one of her signature head long dives, became Superwoman and snagged a Northgate line drive to kill a rally in the third inning.
Sophomore shortstop Riley Zirkel threw two runners out at home that afternoon and made several key plays in the field. Senior second baseman Avery Robb was everywhere, seemingly always in the right place, and senior first baseman Essa Orman was her usual steady self at first base.
Northgate took an early lead and slowly built on it throughout the contest. The Dons struggled to get their offense going.
In the sixth inning Emme came up with one out. The senior hit a hard grounder to second that was bobbled for a moment by the Bronco second baseman. That is all that it took for the hustling senior to reach first base safely. After another out Sophomore third baseman Santana Tamayo followed and hit one high…she hit one deep…and , it, was…OUTTA HERE!!!. Santana smoked a towering drive into the teeth of the wind in right center field for a two run homer!!! The wind had no chance against this rocket. With one swing the Dons were back in it.
Freshman catcher June Natal led off the seventh inning with a walk, but it just wasn’t meant to be. The Broncos closed out the Dons 2-5 and are headed to the NCS Semi-Finals. The 2025 Softball Dons played with a lot of heart. They gave us all some wonderful memories that we will have forever.
Expect a season recap with a tip of the hat to our three outstanding seniors and some season stat leaders later this week after the awards have been announced. Great season ladies. Go Dons!