FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE- HOUNDS KNOW HOW TO RALLY AGAINST DEVILS

A new year and the rivalry continued against RVRHS. It doesn’t matter the record of each respective team, you know that this game will be a war against these two foes. Softball groupies had this date circled on their calendar to catch a glimpse of how these two teams would fare. This contest didn’t disappoint those in attendance. In the top of the first innig, the dawgs promptly went to work as Nikki B. ,she of the killer B’s, drew a walk and before you could take a bite of beef jerky, the originator of vapor trails was on second base with her first of three stolen bases. With Megan Berg reaching on a base hit, the hounds were off to the races. When these two daredevils are running amok on the paths, danger lurks for the opposition. Sure enough Lexi Blue drove home the other two members of the B squad and the hounds posted a 2-0 lead. The yappers held that lead but Arch had been throwing a ton of pitches of late and the right wing was starting to get sore as the devils came to bat in the fourth. Haylei finished the inning on sheer determination but the devils scored three runs. Arch came to the dugout and immediately iced down the magic hammer, also known as her right arm and shoulder. Okay, here we go, down three to two and Gonz came in to shutdown the devils while waiting for the yappers to score. It seemed as if the team accepted the challenge and wanted to show their capabilities. In the fifth the dawg pound sent six to the plate and tied the score. Gonz seemed to be fueled by the offense as she retired the devils in the fifth and sixth. The dawgs were, meanwhile, cranking out the hits and it seemed just a matter of time before they would register a run. This happened in the top of the sixth when they scored two runs with two outs. With two runners on Megan Berg beat out an infield hit and Riley Gripp and the queen of vapor scored to give the hounds a two run lead. Whew, entering the bottom of the seventh and the hounds clinging to a two run lead. When the first batter hit a double, hounds fans had to be holding their breath. Gonz retired the next batter but now faced the top of the RV lineup. Those who are a bit squeamish may need to close their eyes. Especially when the leadoff batter hit a towering drive to leftfield that seemed assuredly to have extra bases tattoed all over it. Alas, JJ, turned and made a highlight film catch as she fell to the ground. DA-DA-DUM DA-DA-DUM- Those not in the know, that is the sound for ESPN when a highlight play is made. Sure the devils would score and close the gap, but JJ took the last breath out of the opposition. Final score 5-4 hounds.
NOTES- Jules Mayernik removed all doubt who the sensi of catchers in South Jersey is. In the first a red devil , seemingly taunted the humble but cagey Jules by taking a lead off of first as if to invite Jules to a duel. Puhhhlease!!!!!!!!! Not on my field, rook. Side retired. Wait, you guys haven’t learned????? In the fifth with a runner on second, once again you want to see what Jules is made of. Trying to swipe third doesn’t work against this hombre. Jules fired to third and threw out the runner. The hounds stole nine bases and had thirteen hits as they had their season high in both. Bergie and Nikki B with six between them. Bergie-Hannah and Nikki with three hits apiece.The dawgs had base runners on in every inning. When the dawg pound is this aggressive, they are a pretty special pack. Huuuuuge kudos to Gonz. As the senior captain, Gonz is the ultimate teammate. She has taken Q under her wing to show how to be a positive leader. Gonz has patiently waited for her turn to stride to the mound and exhibit her talents. When her name was called, Gonz responded with a resolve that carried the day. Coach Corcoran was excited when her coach of T-ball, Mr. Hedgepeth, showed up to cheer on his former player. A touching scene as former and present coaches embraced to commerate memories past and to celebrate memories to come.

Date: April 17, 2019     Time: 3:45pm      Venue: RV Eastampton Sports Complex