Jason Donald not only played well during the 2008 AFL season, he also represented the United States in the 2008 Olympic Games. Additionally Donald has some ties to Arizona in that he played college ball at the University of Arizona. Drafted originally by the Angels out of high school, Donald opted to attend U of A before being drafted again by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006.

In Wednesday’s baseball action, Mesa reigns victorious against the Peoria Saguaros at they win the game by a score of 7-4. The win would solidify the team’s trip to the championship game on Saturday against the Phoenix Desert Dogs. The tie breaking statistic in the standings is the number of runs scored by the team. Jeremy Slayden’s grand slam home run would be the difference in the tie breaker that would send Mesa to the championship game.

Phoenix continues to struggle despite their recent playoff berth. The Dogs lose, in Phoenix, to the Surprise Rafters by a score of 11-6. Outfielder Brian McFall of the Kansas City Royals contributed with two home runs and four RBIs. Surprise would have big second and third innings scoring a combined 7 runs and never looking back. As the Desert Dogs approach the championship game on Saturday, they will be working hard the next couple of days in order to prepare for their matchup against the 8-game win-streak Solar Sox who have been hot at the end of the season.

In Scottsdale, after recognition was given, the Peoria Javelinas hit the field on a mission. The Javelinas would score two runs right away, in the first inning, and another two in the second. Peoria’s Kevin Russo of the New York Yankees would hit a towering shot to left center field that would drive in two of the runs. It was a great night for Yankees prospects as Phil Hughes throws five scoreless innings, striking out ten and only allowing two hits before being removed from the game. The Scorpions would not go on to score as they drop the game to the Javelinas by a score of 5-0.

The Sox performed an offensive attack which resulted in 28 runs for the team and 8 errors for Surprise. Leading the offensive attack was Phillies upcoming star Jason Donald (U of A) with seven at bats, scoring 4 runs with one double and a home run. Right fielder Scott Cousins of the Florida Marlins also contributed with 5 RBIs of his own as he hit one home run. Jesse Estrada of the Chicago Cubs earned the win as he pitched four innings, allowing two hits and one earned run.

The offensive onslaught began in the bottom of the third inning and did not show any signs of letting up. The sox followed with three runs in the fourth and another seven runs in the fifth before scoring eight more in the remainder of the game. Jason Donald performed in the All-Star Futures game this season and had assured his spot in the Future Stars game for this weekend.