Dons Play With Passion in Victory Over Granada

By Mike Zwingle

The junior varsity baseball team played with purpose in a come-from-behind victory over Granada High School.

The Dons, in a make-up game against Granada from the Dougherty Valley Easter Tournament, played with a “don’t give up attitude” and with a spark in their step.

The Dons fell behind early as the leadoff batter hit a triple and the next batter walked, which led to the Don’s following behind 2-0 going into the bottom of the first.

In the second and third innings, Tyler Staniford settled down and retired the side without giving up any more runs. In the fourth inning Will Pickett took the mound and gave up one unearned run as a result of a single, stolen base and error. In the fifth and sixth, Will shut down the Granada team.

For the Dons in the first to fifth innings, the Dons' bats remained silent. Jordan Ott had a single in the first, Jacob Kinney had a single in the second and Jack Moroney had a single in the fifth.

But then the spark hit in the bottom of the sixth. Down 3-0, the Dons rallied to score 4 runs.

Leading off was Steven Nice who hit a single, Alex Zwingle followed with a fly out to right field, Jacob Kinney then crushed a triple. Zack Schmidt got on with an error by the Granada shortstop, Max Molz walked, Jack Moroney grounded out to the pitcher, Jordan Ott walked, Sean Thomas and Will Pickett were then hit with pitches, and then Steven Nice grounded out to the shortstop. The Dons were now up 4-3 and playing motived baseball. Will Pickett retook the mound in the seventh and retired the first two batters. The next two Granada batters were able to get on base with an error and walk to add a little excitement to the game.

With runners on 1st and 2nd, the next Granada batter grounded out to Steven Nice at 3rd and end of game.

And the Dons won the game 4-3.