NBC LOSES TO DONOVAN CATHOLIC AT MT. SAINT DOMINIC

NBC journeyed up the NJ Turnpike to Mt. Saint Dominic to play in a tournament on a Saturday morning. Originally scheduled to play against North Hunterdon at ten and then Donovan Catholic at twelve, the rain caused the entire schedule to be revamped. The hounds were now scheduled to just play Donovan at twelve. As NBC got off the bus, this seemed to still be questionable as leaf blowers were still drying the outfield. Fortunately, the entire infield had been covered with a tarp and as game time arrived, the sun actually came out and, thanks to Jen, sun block had to be dabbed on the pale yappers as the game progressed. For the third consecutive game the dawgs were facing a team that is ranked in the top twenty of the state. NBC was retired in the top of the first and the Griffins were able to score two runs in the bottom of the first. The pound was able to hold the Griffins after the first but were not able to mount any offense through the first four innings. Finally, in the fifth inning with two outs, Archie worked her second walk of the day. Taylor Gooden, the speedy freshmen, ran for Arch and promptly stole second base and the hounds had their first runner in scoring position. Jordan Jackson came to the plate and slashed a base hit to put runners on the corners. Riley Gripp followed with a hit to left field and the hounds were suddenly barking at the heels of the Griffins. The run seemed to invigorate the visitors and in the sixth, Jules Mayernik was not going to be fooled by a changeup as she drove a double down the left field line to once again put a runner in scoring position. Although the dawgs didn’t score, they seemed to be energized. In spite of facing a 3-1 deficit going into the seventh, there seemed to be a positive vibe with the yappers. Sure enough Hannah Alexander worked a walk to start off the inning. Haylei Archer followed with a fly ball to left field that Arch just seemed to get under. JJ came up and delivered her second hit of the day and the dawgs were in business with the tying runs on base. NBC was not able to crack through the scoring column and the game ended in a 3-1 loss.
NOTES-In Greek mythology the Griffin is a creature that is seen as powerful and majestic. It appeared that through the first four innings, the hounds treated their opponent as though they were indeed a dominant force. The hounds shattered this myth in their minds in the fifth when they saw that the Griffins were indeed mortal and not invincible. Arch was able to hold the Griffins at bay throughout the game as time and again she was able to work out of jams as she struck out the last batter of the inning in five of the six innings. In four of these innings, the Griffins had runners in scoring position. JJ once again registered the first hit of the game for NBC and also went two for three for the second time this year.

Date: April 13, 2019     Time: 12:00am      Venue: Mt. Saint Dominic