Crunch Time for the Griffins

As expected, it has been another good season for the Donovan Catholic softball team, but the next few days will provide opportunities for good to be changed to great.

On Tuesday, the 25-1 Griffins powered their way to a 10-0, six-inning victory over Paul VI to reach the NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public A championship game. Jayda Kearney went 4-for-4 with five RBI while Lindsay Nelson threw a one-hitter and struck out 11.

The win sets the stage for another showdown with undefeated St. John Vianney, the top-ranked team in New Jersey (Donovan is second). The Lancers rolled past Bishop Ahr, 7-0, in the other sectional semifinal behind ace Julia Parker, who allowed just one hit and struck out 10 and at the plate went 3-for-3 with an RBI as SJV improved to 25-0.

When they square off at Rowan University on Thursday it will mark the third straight year these two Shore Conference rivals will meet in the state tournament. Last season it was the Griffins who were undefeated before losing to Vianney, 2-0, in the semifinals before the Lancers went on to capture the sectional title.

Before their showdown on Thursday, both teams are scheduled to play today in the semifinals of the Shore Conference Tournament. Top-seeded SJV will host surprising Matawan (No. 13 seed) while second-seeded Donovan Catholic figures to have its hands full with No. 3 Middletown North.

Kevin Williams is the Director of the Shore Sports Network and can be reached at kevin.williams@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @shoresportsman. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.