Dons Escape with a 5-4 Win over Orange Coast
When it was all said and done, the Dons 5-4 victory over Orange Coast College came down to two pitches. The first was a passed ball to set up the scoring run and the second was a wild pitch that scored the game-winning run.
When it was all said and done, the Dons 5-4 victory over Orange Coast College came down to two pitches. The first was a passed ball to set up the scoring run and the second was a wild pitch that scored the game-winning run.
The Dons (12-6, 4-3) had to rally from an early 3-0 deficit before setting up their walk-off win. Orange Coast (6-17, 0-7) scored three runs in the second inning on four hits.
After the first batter grounded out, Rebecca Kendrick singled before Ashley Arrington drew a walk. Katelyn O'Banion followed with a single to load the bases before a passed ball gave the Pirates the first run of the game.
The second run came in on a wild pitch before Daae Cantu hit a RBI-double down the left line that gave Coast the 3-0 lead.
The Dons answered with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the second started by an Alexandra Perkins lead off walk. Genna Main followed with a single before Becky Poirier reached on an error as both Perkins and Main scored.
Three walks helped the Dons tie the game at 3-3 in the third inning. After Hannah Dowling, Kristen Hooper and Perkins each drew a one-out walk, Main singled to centerfield to bring Dowling home from third.
The Dons claimed their first lead of the game in the fourth inning when Sonia Florido led the frame off with a single before stealing second base. Keila Tenorio then hit a RBI-double to bring Florido in for the go-ahead run.
Coast fought back in the top of the seventh inning with Amy Hartwell starting the rally with a one-out single. Nicolette Lujan followed with a single before Heather Gorey hit into a fielder's choice. However, a Dons error allowed Hartwell to score the tying run.
The Dons didn't waste any time to reclaim the lead, and the victory, when Angelica Cesena led the seventh off with a walk before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dowling.
Kristen Hooper was called out on a third strike but Alosina Skipps dropped the ball allowing Hooper to reach second while Cesena moved to third. The next pitch skipped past home plate to the backstop allowing Cesena to score the game-winning run.
Kaitlyn Hooper (9-5) picked up the win for the Dons as she pitched 1.2 innings in relief. Cantu suffered the loss for Coast after pitching the entire game, allowing all five runs.
