SANTA ANA - For the third time this season, the Dons had a game affected by darkness. This time, however, the game was played to completion as the Dons fell 9-8 to visiting Glendale College in a non-conference game.
The Dons (7-3-1) seemed in control of the game as they led 8-2 going into the eighth inning. But Glendale (2-8) mounted a late rally with four runs in the eighth and three runs in the ninth to take its first lead of the game since the third inning when the Vaqueros led 2-0.
Following that 2-0 lead, the Dons scored one run in the third on a sacrifice fly by Alex Mascarenas before Colin Winn tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth when he allowed Troy Baird to score by reaching on a fielder's choice.
It was the fifth inning that the Dons offense pulled away by scoring six runs on four hits while also taking advantage of three walks. The first two runs came in when Mascarenas singled up the middle before Frankie Nogales singled in Mascarenas. Finally, with the bases loaded, Winn cleared the bases with a triple to right field.
But the Dons would get just one more hit for the remainder of the game while Glendale came alive late. The Vaqueros four-run eighth came on four hits and three walks. The first run came in on a wild pitch before a RBI-groundout plated the next run. Three straight hits, two singles and a double, helped the next two runs came in as Glendale cut the Dons lead to 8-6.
Then, in the ninth inning, Glendale got its leadoff batter on due to an error. The next play was a fielder's choice, but a collision in the basepath didn't allow the Dons defense to record an out. After a bunt single loaded the bases, the Dons got the first out on an A.J. Franks strikeout.
Glendale bounced back with a RBI-single to pull within one before an infield single allowed the tying run to come home. Finally, the go-ahead run came in on a fielder's choice.
By that point, darkness was beginning to creep over Don Sneddon Field as the Dons came to bat for one last chance. Mascarenas led the frame off by reaching on an error before a groundout moved him to second base. Baird then drew a walk but the final two SAC batters were struck out to end the game.
Franks (2-1) took the loss for the Dons as he allowed four runs, three earned, on six hits in two innings of work. Andy Frakes (1-0) got the win for Glendale as he recorded the final two outs of the eighth before Christian Keamy (1) picked up the save.
