HOUNDS TAKE BITE OUT OF TERRIERS LATE IN GAME FOR WIN

The hounds played their third game in four days. Because of cancelled games Athletic Director, Dan Uzaki, had put a request out for teams who wanted to play against NBC. Given the reputation of the dawgs there weren’t too many takers. Enter Delaware Valley who was sporting a 9-0 record having given up only 2 runs all year and having pummeled their opponents. Yikes, what were we getting into? Due to a half day schedule, the dawgs were already unleashed early and had plenty of time to prepare for the tilt. Haylei Archer was still not ready to pitch so once again the ball was placed in the capable mitt of Amanda Gonzalez. Keep in mind that the opposition had rolled over one opponent bY a 32-0 score (not a misprint) and had a batter with a .700 batting average. Oh, boy. In the first inning, Gonz set the terriers out in order and the hounds realized that their opponents were fallible. In the bottom of the first, Nikki B. led off with an infield single. You know the way this script goes. Bon sizes up the defense and immediately jets to second while the baffled terriers look at each other in disbelief. Later in the inning when the cheetah swiped third, (nickname courtesy of Bergie) the terriers must have wondered what kind of tomfoolery was in store for them on this sunny day. The yappers didn’t score but set the tone for how aggressive they would be on the bases when given the opportunity. Meanwhile, the terriers were having problems solving the mystery of Gonz. She was keeping the hitters off balance by her mix of pitches and entering the fourth inning we still had a scoreless game. In the top of the fourth, the visitors would score a run to take a 1-0 lead. Some may have thought that this was enough as the terriers pitcher seemed to be able to ride this lead to victory. Sure, the yappers were getting base runners (hounds were on base in five of the six innings) but were not hitting the ball hard and went into the bottom of the sixth still trailing 1-0 having only recorded two hits. With one out Jules Mayernik reached first base via a walk and Maddie Sisz had the same result. Jules decided to do her best imitation of the cheetah and slid into third before the throw and when the ball bounded into left field the alert Bon er…..Jules ran home to tie the game. With Maddie Sisz on third the hounds yappers scored on an improbable run down where she slid into home ahead of the tag taking a 2-1 lead without the benefit of a hit. Entering the top of the seventh, the hounds just had to hold on for three more outs. This would prove to be a more thrilling finish than anticipated. The first batter hit a ball to right field and Riley Gripp was on call for this one. Diving head first to make a sensational catch, Gripp dusted herself off and trotted back to her position. Check tonight to see if that one makes the Top Ten Plays of the Day. Just when we thought this one was over the terriers loaded the bases with one out. Hold on this one is not yet in the books. The next batter hit a ball to the sure handed Megan Berg who fired to Jules Mayernik who must have been watching an instructional video of Lexie Blue on how to stretch at first and the second out was in the ledger. The number three batter in the order came up and hit a bullet down the rightfield line with what would seem to score the tying and winning runs. Like a snap dragon reaching out to catch its prey, Tre snared the ball out of air. Game over, hounds win 2-1.
NOTES- What a thriller. Three wins in four days by a total of 4 runs. So far this season has more drama than the latest episode of Game of Thrones. What do Monmouth University, Drexel University, Fordham University, Farleigh Dickinson University and Marist University have in common? Hmm…..they are the Division I colleges that five of the pitchers facing Northern have committed to. Keep this in mind. You may look at the stat sheet and look at factors such as batting average and hits and think that this season has not been a success but keep in mind the level of the opponents and that these dawgs find a way to win. They yearn to be let out of the dawg pound and they have shown themselves to be relentlessly aggressive on the bases. This writer believes that the sixth inning escapades of Jules was a direct result of how the catcher was traumatized by the cheetah. One has to be blown away by the ice in the veins of Gonz. Looking at the steely eyed pitcher you see someone who is emotionless on the mound and keeps firing. Stepping into her second consecutive game of nerve wracking consequences, this competitor didn’t flinch. Well done, Gonz.

Date: April 18, 2019     Time: 3:45pm      Venue: NBC - Field 25