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Going into Wednesday's first round playoff game, the Jets knew Acalanes could score. The Dons pummeled Encinal in a 14-5 win on March 10. However, it was the Jets who got the last laugh in the rematch, banging out 20 hits in a thrilling 18-14 win on May 18.
With the win, #9 Encinal (14-7) advanced in the D3 NCS Playoffs for the first time since 2015.
"It felt good because we all thought we should’ve beat them the first time too," said senior captain Stella Cashin.
After falling behind 2-1, the Jets scored 9 runs in the third to take a 10-2 lead. It looked like Encinal would cruise but Acalanes hung around, finding themselves down 11-5 after five innings.
Cashin, who was 4-for-6 with 3 RBIs at the plate, entered in the sixth inning to relieve Freshman Cheyanne Caina. However, the Dons scored 6 runs to tie the game at 11.
"I don’t pitch often and was all over the place," said Cashin. "When Cheyanne felt better she came back in to finish the game."
The Jets needed one more big inning from their offense and they got it, scoring 7 runs in the seventh to go up 18-11. Sophomore Lola Whalen was a force, going 3-for-3 with 6 RBIs and 2 home runs.
"It felt really good because I love contributing to a win and this one was especially important to the team," said Whalen.
Acalanes rallied once again, scoring 3 runs in the bottom of the seventh. The Dons could have scored more, however, Whalen chased down a ball in the outfield and threw a runner out at second base to end the game.
WACC League MVP Maddie Leung had 3 hits and 5 RBIs.
"The team knew we were the better team," said Leung. "We just needed to finish out the game."
Encinal faces #1 Eureka (24-1) in the second round on May 21.
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