By Jorge Campos
Freshman catcher Annie Dowling’s third inning grand slam propelled the Dons, as Santa Ana College defeated visiting Palomar College Comets, 9-4 January 31.
“I thought ‘I gotta make contact, I gotta make contact for my team. I have to come through’ and I did,” Dowling said.
The Dons scored nine unanswered runs over four innings. Trailing by four runs in the bottom of the third inning, the Dons scored six runs on five hits and a throwing error, taking the lead for good. Three of the six runs were scored off Comets starter Kristina Carbajal. Carlie Daniel came in relief and threw a wild pitch before surrendering a single and a walk to load the bases for Dowling. With two outs, Dowling smashed a Daniel offering over the center field fence.
“Unfortunately, we made a couple of errors that cost us some big plays, and extended their innings a little too long but credit to them [SAC] they came back and won,” said Palomar Head Coach Lacey Craft.
The Dons added three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, extending the lead to five. Pinch hitter Natalie Wolf scored the final run of the game on a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman Paolena Comouche.
“We were down early, but the key was to not panic,” Dons Co-Head Coach Jessica Rapoza said.
Palomar scored all four runs off Dons starter Kristin Gutierrez, she gave up eight hits, and a home run while striking out a batter.
Freshman Lindsey Esparza picked up her first victory of the season, throwing one perfect inning. Right-hander Frances Campoy converted her first save of the season, hurling four innings of one-hit ball. The three Dons pitchers did not allow a walk.
“I felt really confident throwing first pitch strikes. Today, my inside screwball was working,” Campoy said.
The Dons play next Tuesday at Grossmont College, 3 p.m.
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