Acalanes 2004 Softball

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Schedule

Acalanes Girls Varsity Schedule 2004

Acalanes Preseason Varsity Schedule and Results

Acalanes DFAL Varsity Schedule and Results

Click Opponent Link for Game Summary

News 

  Don's Find New Softball Coach to Replace Retired Bob Brueckner!

In anticipation of the upcoming spring sports scene, Athletic Director Randy Takahashi has announced the hiring of Jean Timken as the new Head Varsity Coach for the Don's Softball team.   Timken has been an assistant softball coach for the past four years and will replace Bob Brueckner who retired recently after deciding not to return to Acalanes.  Brueckner was instrumental in rebuilding the Don's Softball program over the past five years, including winning the DFAL Championship in 2003.  Brueckner's teams reached the NCS playoffs the two of the past three years and lost a heartbreaking 13-inning marathon in the NCS semi-final last season.  Coach Brueckner was also the driving force behind the Don's Softball field renovation which now ranks as one of the best facilities in the East Bay.   Good luck to Bob and his family and thanks for all you have done to put our softball team at the top of the league.  Finally, good luck to Coach Timken on the promotion.

 Don's Softball Preseason Action!

  Opening Day for Softball and Baseball!

The defending DFAL Champion Don's Softball team opens league play with a home game at Acalanes today at 3:30pm, the same time the Baseball team will host defending DFAL Champions Las Lomas.  The softball team went undefeated (4-0) in preseason play this year and looks to compete at the top of the DFAL standings along with Campolindo, Alhambra, College Park and Concord.  The Baseball team just missed the NCS playoffs last year with a 4th-place DFAL finish and will surely improve with long list of returning starters.  Jean Timken and Jon Zuber will make their DFAL coaching debuts for the Softball and Baseball teams respectively today.  Come out and enjoy the games.

  Don's Can't Buy a Break during Upset Loss in DFAL Opener!

After a nice opening day celebration, the Las Lomas softball handed the defending DFAL Champion Don's a huge upset loss in a 1-0 game.  Acalanes could not find any holes in Las Lomas as they hit the ball hard, but right at an improved defense.  Las Lomas had reason to celebrate as they have been the recipients of many lopsided loses the past four years going winless against Acalanes.  Los Lomas scored an unearned run in the fourth-inning and the Don's threatened in almost every inning, but could not plate any runners.  Twice the Don's had scoring threats end with called strikes and out hit Las Lomas 5-2.   Acalanes dropped their first game of the year following a 4-0 preseason.

  Acalanes Looking for Offense Following Second 1-0 Loss!

Well defense doesn't seem to be an issue for the Don's as they given up only two runs their first two games, but both resulted in 1-0 loses following their away game at Dublin Thursday.   The Don's were again shutdown in the scoring column when they could not take advantage of their four hits after giving up the lead in the fourth-inning.  The young team is still finding their way against some tougher pitching and base running errors hurt the Don's late in the game.  Don's Pitcher Blair Cuny dropped to (4-2, 0-2 DFAL), tying the number of DFAL loses she had all last year.  Acalanes will next face Miramonte on Tuesday when they hopefully will break out the bats.

  Softball Team Gets First DFAL Win in 5-2 Tuesday!

The Don's Softball team defeated Miramonte by a 5-2 margin on Tuesday to get in the DFAL win column after dropping two close 1-0 games last week.  Ashley Adams, Jessica Miller and Lauren Pestal provided the offense and Pitcher Blair Cuny gave up two late runs, one unearned, in the win.  The Don's scored their first DFAL run in the third-inning on a throwing error on a steal attempt.  The Don's bunched some hits around other Miramonte mistakes to score their remaining runs.  Acalanes will play Concord High in Concord on Wednesday in a game relocated due to tree issues at the Acalanes field.  The Don's last faced Concord in the NCS playoffs last year coming away with a victory to advance.  The Don's will travel to Mt. Diablo on Thursday.  All games are at 3:30pm.

  Concord High Revives Magic Over Acalanes Softball with Come-from-behind Win!

It would happen every year, Concord would come to play Acalanes and for some reason, the Don's would find a way to lose the game with strange plays and mistakes, until they turned things around the last four times the two hooked up, including a 6-0 win over Concord in the NCS playoffs last year.  Well guess what, the "hex" is back as the Don's saw a 6-1 lead dissolve before their eyes in the bottom of the 7th-inning Wednesday, and then let a two-run lead slip away in the 9th-inning in their heartbreaking 9-8 loss.  Acalanes was coasting to a victory that would even their DFAL record at 2-2 before Concord exploded with hits off a gimpy Blair Cuny, compounded by fielding errors in the dramatic comeback win for Concord (3-1, DFAL).  The injury to Cuny may keep her out of the circle for a few games as she attempts to return to form from last season when she was the DFAL's Most Valuable Pitcher.  On the bright side, the Don's got some great games from their younger players such as Natalie Csider who had a double and collected two other big hits.  Acalanes is suppose to travel to Mt. Diablo today in a game that is weather permitting, and look forward to the spring break where they can work out their early season funk and get some players off the injury-bug. 

  Rain Cancels Mt. Diablo Softball Games!

The Don's game against Mt. Diablo scheduled for Thursday was cancelled due to rain and will be rescheduled soon.  The time off will hopefully give the young team a chance to get well and regroup following the tough Concord loss.  Acalanes will not play during the week of March 29 through April 2nd due to Spring break.  Their next scheduled game is against Campolindo when the two renew their history on Tuesday, April 6th in Moraga.  Game time is 3:30pm.  

  Don's Softball Team Shows Improvement in 2-0 Loss to Undefeated Campo!

It always seems to be this way with Acalanes-Campolindo Softball match-ups, a tight low scoring game featuring strong defense and great pitching.  This was again the story on Tuesday when the Don's lost a tough 2-0 game against the undefeated Campolindo (5-0) team in Moraga to fall to 1-4 in the young DFAL season.  The Don's have lost four games by a total of five-runs.  

Following a tough loss to Concord, the Don's needed to regroup and get healthy during the Spring break and came out with an upset in mind against their rival from Moraga.  The Don's lost three one-run games to Campolindo last year for their only loses of the season.  This was their first lost by more than one-run in two years, and they had their chances in the last inning when they loaded the bases off Campo Ace Becky McCullough whom has yet to give up a run in league play.  McCullough got the last out on a strikeout and the Don's had to feel that they gave the leagues best team a run for their money.  Campo scored solo runs off the Don's Blair Cuny in the first and third-inning, and Acalanes played a much improved defensive game following their nightmare game against Concord before the break.  Despite the loss, their effort should be viewed as a confidence-builder as the young team Acalanes hopes to get back in the win column when they face Northgate on Thursday at home.

  Don's Softball Gets Back to Winning with Extra Inning Affair!

Following a rough stretch of games to start the DFAL season, the Don's were on the winning side of the scoreboard in another one-run game when they scored in the bottom of the first extra inning against Northgate in the 1-0 win Thursday at home.  The Don's started the season with one win and four loses (by a total of five runs) in what was beginning to look like a lost season.  The strong effort by the Don's on Tuesday against the #2 team in the East Bay in Campolindo may have been the best medicine for the young team.  They played a strong game against Northgate, yielding two hits and played a flawless defensive game.  The Don's scored in the 8th on a single, a sacrifice, and a perfect suicide-squeeze bunt by senior Ashley Adams.  Adams played catcher for the first time this season after starting at that position the past three seasons.  Her and fellow senior pitcher Blair Cuny reconnected with their best outing of the year.  Northgate played a solid game as well in this pitchers duel, but it was the Don's that came away with the one-run victory this time.  The team will not play until they face rival Alhambra a week from Tuesday.

  Another One-Run Loss for Don's Softball Team!

It is becoming quite clear that the bounces are not going the Don's way this year as they again lost another one-run game, this time to Alhambra on an unearned-run 1-0 Tuesday.  After a 4-0 preseason, the Don's have dropped five of seven DFAL games by a total of six runs.  The latest loss was a tough one because they were facing the defending NCS 2A Champion Alhambra team (6-2, DFAL) and played a better game, but could not get a runner past third base once again.  Blair Cuny pitched a great game for Acalanes holding the powerful team to only four-hits while striking out eight batters.  Cuny also went two for three at the plate.  Jessica Miller and Courtney Ward also collected two hits each for the Don's.  Ward, a Senior who is finally seeing regular duty this season has been one of the Don's most consistent hitters this season.  Alhambra scored their only run on a throwing error attempting to catch a runner off second base following a sacrifice.  As the team reaches the halfway point of the season Thursday, they will need to find their offense to support their strong pitching and defense if they have any hope of returning to the NCS playoffs this year.  Senior Lara Alexander, out all year with an injury may be returning to action soon which would really help the team.  Alexander was a All-DFAL first team honoree last season.  Acalanes will play at Las Lomas on Thursday in a 3:30pm game.

  Don's Drop Another Game to Las Lomas!

Following a hard-fought game against Alhambra on Tuesday, Acalanes dropped their second game of the season to the upstart Las Lomas (5-2, DFAL) team when the Don's gave up eight-runs in the bottom of the first inning and that held up in an eventual 8-6 loss.  Las Lomas is usually the team that sees every teams reserves and this time it backfired on first-year Head Coach Jean Timken.  Timken gave senior Courtney Ward a rare pitching start, and despite not being hit hard and having to deal with three-infield errors, Ward left with only two outs recorded and trailing 8-0.  Don's regular starter Blair Cuny came in to get the final out of the first and shutdown Las Lomas for the remained of the game.  Acalanes did make a comeback that fell short, including home runs by Jessica Miller and reserve Maria Marty whom also got a rare start.  Madeline Nicholson and Ward also collected two hits for Acalanes which dropped to 2-6 in the DFAL.

  Seniors Come Through in 10-Inning Softball Win Over College Park!

The Don's really needed a big boost and a win following two loses in the week and their season at the mid-way point and they got that and some confidence by beating College Park 1-0 in another extra inning affair on Friday.  The win improved the Don's DFAL record to 3-6, but it also proved that they play well at home where they will host six of their remaining nine games.  The team got a big boost from senior catcher Ashley Adams who belted a triple down the left field line in the bottom of the 10th inning and scored on an infield single by Jessica Miller to break the scoreless tie and end the great pitching duel between College Park's Stephanie Marshall and the Don's Blair Cuny.  Cuny would yield soft infield singles in the first and second innings, and then following a walk, she set down the next 26 consecutive batters before Adams scored to win the game in the 10th.  The win was a reward for Cuny who pitched 20 innings during the week and gave up only one run, that an unearned run against Alhambra Tuesday.  Adams, Miller and Cuny each added two hits on the day.  Acalanes will host Dublin on Tuesday in a big game to start the second half of the DFAL season.  Game time is 3:30pm. 

  Errors Hurt Don's in Softball Loss to Dublin 2-0!

Following one of their best defensive games of the year against College Park on Friday, Acalanes committed two first-inning errors which helped Dublin (6-3, DFAL) plate two runners and that stood up in the Don's 2-0 loss in DFAL action Tuesday.  After Dublin took a 2-0 lead, they never really challenged Don's starter Blair Cuny who scattered four hits and struck out five batters.  Acalanes had several chances to cut into the lead, but could not break through against rise-ball pitcher Amanda Pinkston who shutout the Don's 1-0 earlier this season.  Jessica Miller led the Don's with two-hits including a double.  Acalanes will attempt to correct themselves when they face Miramonte on Thursday in a 3:30pm game.

  Softball Team Gets Needed Win Over Miramonte in 10-0 Final!

The Don's softball team is going to need every victory they can muster in the DFAL second half, and they got one Thursday in a 10-0 five-inning game against Miramonte.  Junior Charissa Csider  led the Don's with three-hits including a double and got some added offense from Jessica Miller, Ashley Adams, and Hannah Fracheri.  The Don's scored four runs in each of the second and third innings and got to the 10-run rule when they added two more to close out the Mats.  Blair Cuny pitched her fourth shutout of the DFAL season and now has an ERA of 0.55 for the season.  Cuny was a runner-up this week in Contra Costa Times Athlete Female of the Week voting.  Acalanes will get a chance to pick-up some more wins when they will face the winless Mt. Diablo team in two games next week before closing out the week hosting the hot Concord team on Friday. 

  Softball Takes First of Back-to-back Games With Mt. Diablo!

Acalanes pounded out 13-hits in just four innings against winless Mt. Diablo on Monday in the first of back-to-back games caused by a rainout earlier this spring.  The 17-2 win for the Don's was just what was needed for the run-challenged team that has lost many one-run games this year, but is moving back into the NCS playoff contention with a second-half surge.  The Don's host Mt. Diablo today at 3:30pm.  

  Softball Takes Second of Back-to-back Games from Mt. Diablo 12-2!

For the second consecutive day, the Don's Softball team demolished Mt. Diablo, this time by a 12-2 margin in five-innings.  Acalanes got two hits each from Lauren Pestal, Jessica Miller and Ashley Adams in the win.  Blair Cuny was touched for two runs on theee-hits in picking up her 10th win of the season.  The win moved the Don's to within one-game of the .500 mark in league play at 6-7.  They will host Concord in a rematch of their extra-inning thriller on Friday in a must-win game.  .

  Softball Team Drops Chance to Move to .500 with Extra Inning Loss!

The Don's had Concord where they wanted them at home on Friday and could not finish-off the 11-3 team when it counted and eventually lost in extra-innings by another shutout 2-0.  The Don's needed a big win badly and were hanging tough behind strong pitching and defense, but could muster only one-hit against Amanda Vuylsteke, the Concord starter.  The lone hit came from Blair Cuny whom led off the bottom of the seventh with a double down the left field line, but was left stranded at third and again the Don's and Concord would head to extra-innings.  

In the top of the ninth, Concord received a break on a slow roller to third that was thrown away allowing the runner advanced to second.  On the next at-bat, and pop flair just alluded shortstop Sara Stenson and Concord was in business with runners at the corners with one-out.  After a steal of second, the Don's chose to pitch to the hot swinging Sara Hurbutt instead of intentionally walking her to load the bases, and the strategy back-fired when Hurbutt singled in the go ahead run and another scored when the leftfielder bobbled the ball.  The Don's got a runner in the bottom of the 7th-inning on an error but were again shutout dropping them to 6-8 in the DFAL.  With four-games to play, the Don's will need some bounces to go their way if they have any hope of returning to the NCS playoffs this season.

  Don's Drop Game to College Park in Softball, Playoffs Chances Hurt!

In one of the most important games of the year for Acalanes, errors again hurt the team when the game was on the line and they dropped three-games below .500 with a 3-1 loss at College Park.  Acalanes had beaten the Pleasant Hill team earlier 1-0 in 10-innings at home and had the lead in this one before four errors late allowed College Park to take the lead.  College Park's Stephanie Marshall shut down the Don's in the last four-innings for the win.  Acalanes will now face Campolindo (13-2, DFAL), Northgate and Alhambra (10-4, DFAL) to close out the season.  The Don's will need to win two of the three games to have any change of qualifying for post-season play.

  Errors Again Hurt Softball Team in 2-0 Loss to Campolindo!

In a season where every bounce or close play has gone against Acalanes, that trend held up as Campolindo defeated Acalanes at home in a 2-0 win which resulted on a poor throw on a steal attempt in the top of the first-inning.  Two runs scored on the play after only one-pitch to the #4 batter in the line-up and the runs were all Senior Campolindo Ace Becky McCullough would need in the shutout win.  Don's starter Blair Cuny would match McCullough with scoreless innings the rest of the way and got some defensive help to keep things close including a rare triple-play.  With runners at first and second, Campolindo hit a line shot to right field that was snagged by Lauren Pestal who then easily through behind the runner at first for the second out and then a throw to second finished the triple-play as the Campo runners never returned to their bags after the initial catch.  

The Don's threatened in the bottom of the seventh when Blair Cuny led off with a solid single to center followed by base hit by fellow senior Courtney Ward.  McCullough bore down and got the next two batters on strikeouts before Madeline Nicholson lifted a pop fly in the infield that was dropped as a result of runner-interference ending the game.  The loss was the second by a 2-0 margin, with all the runs coming following errors.  The loss ends some classic battles between these Lamorinda schools dating back the past few years.  The Don's only lost three-games in 2003, all one-run loses to Campolindo including the dramatic 13-inning thriller in the NCS 2A semi-final, and split their games in 2002.  Acalanes will need to win both of their remaining games next week against Northgate and Alhambra.

  One Run Enough for Don's Softball in Win at Northgate!

The Don's needed a win and they got one when Jessica Miller scored on a Blair Cuny single to right field that held up in a 1-0 win for Acalanes.  This was the second 1-0 win over Northgate this season for Acalanes in a season where one-run games have been the norm.  The team will host Alhambra on Thursday on "Senior day" at 3:30pm.

  Softball Team Ends DFAL Season with 1-0 Loss to Alhambra!

The Don's ended their season with their DFAL finale against Alhambra at home on Senior day, and the game typified the way the hard-luck season has gone with another 1-0 loss.  Acalanes tied for sixth-place with the upstart Las Lomas team with a 7-11 record in DFAL play and 11-11 overall.  The Don's out hit Alhambra 5-3 in a pitchers duel between the Don's Blair Cuny and Alhambra's Sara Coleman.  The two starters once played together on their first organized softball team back in the 4th-grade.  Alhambra bunched a infield hit and a double by Karla Chaparro for the games lone run in the top of 3rd-inning and that held up despite several Don's comeback attempts.  

The Don's celebrated Senior Day prior to the game by saying goodbye to four-year starters Ashley Adams, Lara Alexander, and Blair Cuny.  Fellow Senior and starting leftfielder Courtney Ward was also honored.  Cuny finished with another strong outing going 2-2 at the plate and holding the NCS bound Bulldogs to three hits and no walks with six strikeouts.  Freshman Sara Stenson and Junior's Lauren Pestal and Madeline "Mad Dog" Nicholson collected the other hits.

The 2004 season comes to a close with the Don's missing a NCS berth by a game or two.  With 10 of their 11 loses coming by two-or-less runs, the team never got enough bounces to go their way in their quest to return to the NCS following their DFAL title season in 2003.  Good luck to the Seniors and thanks for another entertaining year of softball to all the players.  

  Don's Place Two Players on the DFAL Softball All-League Teams!

The Don's Pitcher Blair Cuny was honored with a First team selection on the DFAL All-league team and Freshman Sara Stenson was named as a Utility player on the Second team.  Cuny had a 8-10 DFAL record but had the lowest ERA in the league gave up more than two runs only twice all season.  Stenson led the Don's in batting and adjusted well in her first year on Varsity handling the tough Catching and Shortstop positions for the young team.  Complete listing of all All-League Teams, click here.

  Don's Softball Team Loses Former Coach and Mentor Bill Olson!

It was a sad day for the Acalanes Softball program when former assistant coach and mentor Bill Olson passed away recently after a long battle with cancer.  Dr. Olson coached at Acalanes for several years while his daughters Melanie and Lauren attended the school but had to step down when health issues prevented him from full-time coaching in 2002.  He was a huge supporter of Acalanes and other Lamorinda youth sports programs and touched the hearts of everyone he met.  Bill was a mentor to current Acalanes Head Coach Jean Timken even when he was unable to attend the games and his smiling face and encouragements will be missed by the entire Softball program.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Margaret and family.  Obituary for Dr. Olson can be read here.

Dr. Bill Olson 1954-2004

Click here for 2004 Junior Varsity

Final DFAL Softball

2003 Standings 

  Don's Softball Players Recognized by DFAL in All-League Awards!

As expected following a 23-3 record for the year culminating in a DFAL Championship and a NCS semi-final appearance,  the Don's were recognized with no less than seven players earning all-league honors.  Don's pitcher Blair Cuny picked up one of the leagues top honors when she was chosen the as the DFAL's Most Valuable Pitcher.  Senior Lauren Olson (2B) and Junior Lara Alexander (3B) made the DFAL First-team, while Senior Carie Brueckner (SS), Junior Ashley Adams (C), and Sophomore Jessica Miller (CF) were among those chosen to the DFAL Second-Team.  The Don's Sophomore Charissa Csider was a DFAL Honorable Mention as well, meaning that the entire Acalanes infield, pitching battery, and centerfielder were recognized by the League Coaches for the superb defensive play during the 2003 year.  Congratulation to the Athletes!

  Acalanes Places Three Athletes on Contra Costa Top 100 List!

The Don's placed three athletes on the Annual Top 100 Prep Athlete List compiled by the Contra Costa Times.  Making the list this year were Seniors Carie Brueckner and Zach Clark, and Junior Katie Curtis.  Find the profiles below and click here for the complete list from the Contra Costa Times dated 5/18.  Congratulations to Carie, Zach and Katie for a great year!

CARIE BRUECKNER   Softball, Golf

Brueckner was a senior captain on a Dons team that opened the season with a 15-game winning streak and won the Diablo Foothill Athletic League crown. She anchored one of the area's toughest defenses and most productive offenses as Acalanes' shortstop and cleanup hitter. Brueckner was also a key contributor on the Dons' golf team that won the DFAL and the North Coast Section titles.

ZACH CLARK   Football, Basketball, Baseball

A three-sport standout for the Dons, Clark was the DFAL MVP in basketball. He averaged 14.4 points per game and was one of the league's top defenders, leading Acalanes to the league title. In the fall, Clark guided the Dons football team to the NCS 2A East Bay title game. He started at quarterback and had nine interceptions on defense, earning first-team All-Times defensive back. Clark was the designated hitter for the baseball team and was a second-team All- League selection.

KATIE CURTIS   Basketball

Curtis helped lead Acalanes to its first NCS Division III title since 1999. She had 17 points, six assists and five rebounds in the NCS championship game. On the season, she averaged 15.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.8 steals per game and was named to the All-Times first team.

  Jessica Miller and Shauna Kennedy Pick-up Softball Team Awards!

The entire 2003 Softball Team earned a "Team MVP" award at the annual Softball year-end dinner banquet and two other Don's were honored.  Don's head coach Bob Brueckner gave each player an individual plaque honoring them for their contribution to the successful year that saw the Don's earn a DFAL Championship and NCS semi-final berth during their 26-3 season.  Sophomore Jessica Miller was honored as "Most Improved" player as she was inserted into the important centerfield position and earned a DFAL All-league 2nd team honor for her play.  The "Coaches Award" went to Junior Shauna Kennedy, who demonstrated a great attitude and worked hard to become the Don's most dependable "10th player" off the bench.  

  Lauren Olson and Zach Clark are Boosters' Scholar-Athletes for 2002-03!

Two graduating athletes were recognized during the Acalanes Senior Awards night on June 7th when Lauren Olson and Zach Clark were honored by the Boosters' Club.   Both athletes became the third annual female and male recipient of the Boosters award and $500 scholarship.  Athletes are judged on their athletic participation during their four years at Acalanes, and must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to qualify for the award.

Zach Clark's year has been well documented, but he also hit the books and was a success both on and off the field.  Lauren Olson was a member of the NCS winning Women's Golf team and a All-leaguer on the DFAL winning Don's softball team her senior year.  Congratulations from the Boosters' Club to our Scholar-Athlete recipients. 

  Carie Brueckner Named to Times "Athlete of the Year" Team in Softball!!

Senior Carie Brueckner was the only Acalanes athlete named on the Spring Contra Costa Athlete of Year's teams.  Brueckner was the shortstop on the Don's DFAL Champion softball team and batted .413 with 31 RBI's on the year.  Brueckner was also co-captain and has been a four-year starter for the Don's helping them improve from a mediocre squad to one of the top teams in the East Bay.  Besides leading the team in almost every offensive category, she fielded even better making only four errors at one of the toughest positions in softball.  Brueckner was joined by the other co-captain and fellow senior Lauren Olson whom was named to the second team.  Don's nemesis Becky McCullough from Campolindo was named the Times Player of the Year.  Read the story from the Contra Costa Times dated 6/27 here.

Acalanes Girls Junior Varsity Schedule 2004

Acalanes Preseason Junior Varsity Schedule and Results

Acalanes DFAL Junior Varsity Schedule and Results

Click Opponent Link for Game Summary

  2004 Junior Varsity Game Summaries

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