Dons give up first loss this season

San Diego Mesa College catcher Garrett Schilling jogs past Dons catcher Cody Bistline Friday at Don Sneddon Field. The Olympians scored seven runs in the seventh inning, leading to a 13-5 victory over Santa Ana College. / C. Harold Pierce / el Don

By Jorge Campos

The San Diego College Olympians took advantage of a weak Dons’ bullpen Friday, rounding up seven runs off five hits, leading them to a 13-5 victory over Santa Ana College.

In the top of the seventh inning with the bases loaded, Dons relief pitcher Michael Grier walked designated hitter Robert Reynolds, breaking a 5-5 tie.

Reynolds’ RBI was the first of seven unanswered runs that inning as the Olympians rotated through their lineup.

“SAC is a good club. They are good every year, so coming out here and beating them when they are 4-0, that’s a big win for us,” Olympians Head Coach Kevin Hazlett said.

Dons’ starting pitcher Bobby Browne gave up four hits and three runs before the end of the second inning, including a home run to Olympian Alex Conner and an RBI single to first baseman Conner Wilson.

“I go up there hunting fastballs, I get my timing right even when I’m just on deck. That way when I get them, I hit them,” Wilson said.

The Dons took their only lead of the game in the first inning off an RBI single from designated hitter Julio Cesar Garcia, driving in centerfielder Ryan Aguilar.

“Today I was seeing balls fat. I swung at some good pitches; I swung at some bad pitches and got myself out twice, but I always come out with confidence to hit the ball big,” Garcia said.

The Dons (4-1) play Feb. 8 at Don Sneddon Field against the Palomar College Comets (1-4) at 2 p.m.