Despite Errors, Dons Win, 6-4, Against Tartars

By Diana Viera

The Dons defeated visiting El Camino College Compton Center, 6-4, Tuesday, after a sixth-inning go-ahead home run off the bat of shortstop Tommy Anderson.

Before the Dons hit in the second inning, the team committed three errors, leading to all four Tartars runs.

“We didn’t play a good defense, we didn’t execute our inside game. We pitched okay. We didn’t do much right today so it wasn’t good. Obviously we’ll take the win but we need to play better baseball moving forward,” Head Coach Tom Nilles said.

The Tartars led off the game with a double from shortstop Miguel Valles. Valles advanced to third on a throwing error from Dons third baseman Patrick Cromwell. Valles scored the first run of the game on a single by designated hitter Sterling Larsen.

“I think we did well on offense early on, got an early lead,” Tartars Outfielder Larsen said.

The Tartars extended its lead to four runs in the top half of the second. With two outs, Anderson made an error, allowing Valles to reach base and advancing catcher Ivan Navarro to third. The Tartars smacked a double, and then a single, extending the score to 3-0, before Anderson made his second error of the inning, allowing the Tartars’ fourth score.

“I had a rough day. I made two errors on the field but I mean it just came down to competing,” Anderson said.

But the Dons would do all the scoring for the rest of the game.

In the bottom of the second, the Dons scored three runs of its own without a hit. Four walks and a hit batter from Tartars pitcher Adrian Martinez led to the three runs. Only one was earned.

The Dons tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning when right fielder Austin Pritchard singled home Cromwell.

In the sixth inning, Anderson pushed the score to 6-4 with a two-home run.

The Dons (12-1) play at Irvine Valley College Saturday at 2 p.m.