Dons offense shut down in loss

   The Dons’ softball team lost their final home game by a score of 5-1 to rival Santiago Canyon College, April 14.
   With the win, the Hawks avoided a season sweep to Santa Ana.
   SCC got on the board in the third inning when right fielder Jessica Brillantes’ RBI single to left scored designated hitter Lauren Villareal. 
   The Hawks extended their lead to 2-0 in the fourth inning after shortstop Courtney Aden reached first on a fielder’s choice, stole second then reached home on an RBI single from catcher Emily Pulaski.
    In the sixth inning, second baseman Cara Methven hit a RBI single with the bases loaded.   
   The Hawks scored three runs in the inning after Santa Ana’s defense committed a fielding error and hit a batter before ending the inning with a double play.
   “SCC played a great game, they put pressure on the defense,” said Head Coach Jessica Rapoza. “We just didnt handle things on defense”
   Santa Ana didn’t score until the fifth inning when right fielder Ashley Ross singled to right and advanced to second on a fielding error. Shortstop Sarah Steinbeck brought Ross home with an RBI double down the left field line.
   “My heart was racing. I was just thinking about making contact and hitting through somebody,” Steinbeck said.
   Steinbeck set a Santa Ana College record for the most consecutive games with a hit, 18.
   The Dons had been on an offensive tear going into the game, scoring 28 runs in their previous five games. The Dons were held to one run on seven hits in the loss.
   “We didn’t show up,” said Steinbeck.”We just weren’t there today.”
   With the loss, the Dons fall to 17-18-1, 9-10 in the Orange Empire Conferencce.
     Next, the Dons visit Orange Coast College for their final regular season game, Wednesday at 3 p.m.