Dons Defeat Seahawks in Season Opener

Dons starter Tyler Sloan pitched a five-inning one hit shutout Tuesday at Don Sneddon Field against the visiting LA Harbor Seahawks. / Mitch Welch / el Don

By Jorge Campos

Sophomore righty Tyler Sloan threw five innings of one-hit ball as the Dons defeated the visiting LA Harbor College Seahawks 7-1 Tuesday.

“I want to get ahead of guys, there were a few times that I got behind. But I’m gonna keep fine tuning myself to stay ahead and give us the best chance to win,” Sloan said.

Sloan was perfect for the first two innings before Seahawks second baseman Anthony Canjura dropped a bunt single down the third base line.

The Dons put two unearned runs on the board in the first inning with two hits sandwiched around an error. In the bottom of the fourth the Dons added two more unearned runs on a throwing error by Hawks catcher Eduardo Villegas. SAC added two more runs in the fifth and one in the sixth.

Freshman lefty Matthew Grier surrendered the lone LA Harbor run on a solo home run from left infielder Jason Espino in the top of the eighth.

This game marked the first time since 1981 Don Sneddon did not manage the Dons. Compiling an all-time California Community College Athletic Association leading record of 1,072-383-3 and winning three state championships on the way, Sneddon stepped down as head baseball coach taking the job of manager with the Modesto Nuts, a minor league affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

Coaches Bryan Harris and John Bryant have taken over head coaching duties as co-head coaches. Both former players and coaches for Sneddon, SAC will continue to play ball like always, one game at a time, Harris said.

“I don’t see a different direction we will be headed, we will continue the success that coach Sneddon has had over the last 30 years,” Harris said.