The Acalanes Dons will take on the Alhambra Bulldogs at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Acalanes will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more runs each match than the last.
Having struggled with three defeats in a row, Acalanes turned things around against Northgate on Tuesday. They walked away with a 14-11 win over the Broncos.
Maya Shoenhair was a major factor no matter where she played. On the mound, she tossed seven innings while giving up just one earned (and ten unearned) runs off 11 hits. Shoenhair was also solid in the batter's box, going 3-for-4 with two RBI and one double. That's the most hits she has posted since back in May of 2024.
In other batting news, Vanessa Choi was a standout: she went 3-for-4 with four runs, one triple, and one RBI. That's the most hits she has posted since back in February. The team also got some help courtesy of Santana Tamayo, who went a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBI and two runs.
Acalanes always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .533. They are a perfect 6-0 when they post an OBP of .513 or better.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Alhambra, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Tuesday. Their pitchers stepped up to hand De Anza a 16-0 shutout on Wednesday.
Payton Radke looked comfortable as she tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits.
At the plate, Corina Griffone was incredible, going 3-for-4 with three runs, one stolen base, and two RBI. Those RBI were her first of the season. Juliana Carranza was another key player, going 1-for-4 with three runs, two RBI, and one double.
Acalanes' victory was their first in the league, bumping their league record up to 1-2 and their overall record up to 9-4. As for Alhambra, their win bumped their record up to 10-7.
Thursday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Acalanes hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .372. However, it's not like Alhambra struggles in that department as they've averaged .326. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Acalanes skirted past Alhambra 4-3 in their previous matchup back in April of 2023. Do the Dons have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Bulldogs turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
