SANTA ANA - The 2013 season got underway with the Dons picking up a 9-4 win over College of the Desert on Don Sneddon Field. The Dons (1-0) scored all nine of their runs in the fourth and fifth innings while Desert's (0-1) runs came in the ninth inning. The two teams will meet again tomorrow at College of the Desert with the first pitch being thrown at 1:00 p.m.
The Dons got a strong opening day performance out of sophomore pitcher Matt Blanchard who faced just one batter over the minimum in five innings of work. Blanchard allowed one walk in each of the first two innings but both runners were thrown out on the bases. After an error let the ninth batter of the game reach in the third, catcher Cody Bistline threw out his third baserunner of the game, keeping Blanchard at the minimum.
Blanchard pitched a perfect fourth and it wasn't until the fifth inning when Desert got its first hit of the game on a Dylan Lauwers' single. Lauwers would be the only runner of the game that Desert left on during Blanchard's five innings. His final line was one hit in five innings with five strikeouts and two walks.
It took the Dons four innings to get their first run of the season across and it was scored by Tyler Madrid who drew a leadoff walk before coming around to score on an error. The Dons followed Madrid's walk with four-straight singles, including a pair of bunt singles. Cody Bergeson had an RBI-single before Ryan Aguilar drove in two runs on his single up the middle. The six-run inning was capped off by a two-run single by JB Bryant that scored Bistline and Aguilar.
The Dons added three more runs in the fifth inning with Blake Walker doubling in Collin Nyenhuis and Bistline before Aguilar notched his third RBI of the game when he singled in Walker.
It appeared the Dons would record a shutout on their first day out but Desert spoiled their attempt with four runs on six hits in the ninth inning. Prior to the final frame, the Dons had held the Roadrunners to just four hits over the course of the game.
Game Notes: With his five shutout innings today, Matt Blanchard extends his streak of 18.2 innings without allowing a run, dating back to April 10 of last season. Tyler Madrid has recorded at least one hit in each of his last five games. Today was the Dons second win on opening day in the last three seasons.
