March 10, 2009 - Results
Dons Offense Erupts for 22 Runs on 23 Hits

SANTA ANA, CA - The Santa Ana College (SAC) baseball team scored 23 runs on 22 hits in its 22-7 victory over visiting Irvine Valley College (IVC) in an Orange Empire Conference game.

After the Dons (15-6, 4-2) scored three runs in the bottom of the first, IVC (8-11, 1-5) came back to score two runs in the second and two runs in the third to hold an early 4-3 lead over SAC.

Chris Miller, Jake Eccles and Stephen Gonzalez each had an RBI in the first inning. Marcus Piazzisi scored a run after leading the inning off with a single followed by a single by Matt Hart who also scored.

Despite the three-run first inning, the Dons offense didn't come alive until the fourth inning. SAC scored four runs in the inning on three hits with Eccles picking up another RBI and Hart getting two more RBI.

The Dons kept the offensive onslaught going in the fifth inning with five runs on six hits. Four of the six hits were doubles as the Dons batted around the order. Julian Duran had one RBI and Piazzisi picked up his first two RBI of the game in the inning.

The two teams traded a run in the sixth inning as Vince Hungerford hit a solo home run for the Lasers. Gonzalez reached base for the Dons when he was hit by a pitch and later scored on a RBI-single by Duran.

The biggest inning for SAC came in the bottom of the seventh when the Dons scored nine runs on six hits. Six of the nine runs were scored with two outs on two SAC home runs.

Hart led the inning off with a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. He scored in the next at bat on a RBI-single by Kyle Hardman. Eccles followed with a single and after Hardman scored on a wild pitch, Eccles scored on a RBI-single by Nick Benvenuto.

Efrain Mendoza was hit by a pitch and Brian Boles drew a two-out walk to load the bases. Piazzisi followed with a grand slam, giving him his game-high six RBI.

Hart followed Piazzisi's grand slam with a double in his second plate appearance of the inning. Hardman followed, in his second at bat, with a two-run home run to cap off the scoring.

IVC added two runs in the ninth inning before Michael Steele got the final out to end the game. Christian Meza remained undefeated from the mound with a 4-0 record as he pitched six innings scattering eight hits. He allowed five runs, three earns, with eight strikeouts to just one walk.

Next: Saddleback at Santa Ana, Thursday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m.