SANTA ANA - The Dons claimed the rubber match against Golden West College with a 9-8 win in an Orange Empire Conference. With the win, the Dons (16-7, 5-6) won the season series as the home team after the first two games were won by the road team.
The win didn't come easy as Golden West (11-13, 4-7) rallied from an 8-3 deficit with five runs in the eighth inning. The game-tying run came on a passed ball with two outs.
Now tied 8-8, the game seemed destined to go beyond 10 innings as the Dons fell to two outs despite getting their first two batters on base. After their second runner was caught stealing at second, the Dons got new life when Blake Walker drew a walk before stealing second and third base. Walker stole third base when Josh Vargas drew the second consecutive walk of the inning.
After Vargas moved to second on defensive indifference, Daniel Martinez delivered with a single to centerfield, allowing Walker to score easily from third to claim the win for the Dons.
The Dons lead was built with three runs in the first inning, two in the second and another three in the seventh. Among the highlights were a pair of two-run triples by Tyler Madrid.
Golden West cut the Dons lead to 5-1 in the fourth with the Rustlers first hit of the game, a solo home run by Thomas Walker. The Rustlers added two more runs in the fifth inning, on a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly, to set up the 8-3 Don lead.
Bryan Clough (3-0) picked up the win for the Dons as he pitched three innings in relief for Richard Diaz. Clough allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits but held Golden West scoreless in the ninth and 10th innings.
Diaz, who got a no-decision, left the game with an 8-3 lead but was responsible for two of the next three runs to score. His final line was six runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts. Mitchell Moore (0-1) took the loss for Golden West as he allowed one run on no hits with a pair of walks.
The Dons take a break from Orange Empire Conference play and host a pair of non-conference games next week. On Tuesday, the Dons play Mt. San Jacinto College at 2:00 p.m. before taking on Los Angeles Mission College on Thursday, also at 2:00 p.m.
As Santa Ana College is on spring break, unfortunately only game scores will be posted for these two games. When the campus reopens on April 1, complete stats will be posted for the games. We thank you for your understanding.
