el Don V. 96 No. 5 | Page 7

SAC SPORTS MEN’S BASEBALL DONS LOSE IN THE FIRST ROUND The Dons playoff run ended early losing two of a three-game series against the Mt. San Antonio Mounties at the California Community College Athletic Association SoCal Regionals. The Dons season ends with an overall record of 25-17. Santa Ana came into the series ranked No.9 facing No. 8 Mt. San Antonio. The Dons won the first game 15-5 but suffered back to back defeats of 11-5 in game two and 16-10 in game three. The Dons offense this season was led by freshmen infielder James Williams, while Nathan Catchu led the pitchers. Williams finished the season leading the team in runs and hits with 66 and 40. William’s 66 hits ranked him No.1 in the OEC and No. 7 in the CCCAA. Catchu led the Dons in wins, appearances, innings pitched and ERA . Catchu finished the season with seven wins ranking him No.4 in the Orange Empire Conference. Catchu ranked No.2 in the OEC for inning pitched with 83.2 IP. Along with Catchu, Freshman catcher Frank Garcia and sophomore infielder Raymond Villanueva earned first-team honors while freshman catcher Copper Hansen, sophomore infielder Drake Wood and Williams found themselves on the second-team. / Alan Chang Softball Recap S PHOTO BY DIEGO DEVIA STORY BY OLIVER RIVERO PREVIEW: Dons exit early in the playoffs to No.6 ranked Antelope Valley anta Ana Dons softball team (No.11) failed to reach the second round of the California Community College Athletic Association Southern playoffs for the second year in a row falling to No.6 ranked Antelope Valley College. The Dons lost both games away against the Marauders 8-1 in the first game and 10-1 in the second game. They finished with an overall record of 24-16 with a conference record of 12-9. The Dons started the season off with a five-game winning streak with only three losses in the first two months. However, Santa Ana hit a rough patch in the middle of the season losing six out 11 games. Santa Ana shifted its momentum when they beat No.2 ranked Mt. San Antonio College 6-5. “We were going into that game not as favorites and us coming out as the winner really boosted our confidence,” sophomore catcher Jeana Gonzales said. Sophomore pitcher Nicole Yniguez and sophomore infielder Jeana Gonzales both received All-OEC first-team honors while sophomore infielder Karlee Rivera received All-OEC second-team. Yniguez ranked No.3 in the OEC for wins and strikeouts with 17 and 100 for the season. Gonzales led the Dons with a .398 batting average ranking her No.9 in the OEC. Rivera recorded 37 hits and 22 RBI’s in her last season as a Don. “The girls became a family, we trusted each other that was a big key to our success.” Coach Alyssa Yglesias said. el Don Santa Ana College · May 2019 7