Bulldogs Week In Review

Here is the weekly wrap of what’s going on in JDHS sports—the week of May 2 to the 8:   

SOFTBALl

The Bulldogs started the week on the right foot, as they knocked off Oak Knoll, 9-8, in dramatic fashion on Monday.  

Senior first baseman Jackie Loeshelle got the game-winning RBI in the top of the seventh to give Dayton [7-4] the comeback win. The Bulldogs broke a 7-7 tie to start the seventh inning by scoring two runs in their final frame. Loeshelle, who went 2-for-5 including a triple and two RBIs, wasn’t the only big bat, as she got help from almost everyone in the lineup.

Senior shortstop Rebecca Frank went 4-for-5, with four runs, and two RBIs; senior leftfielder Ali Diamond went 3-for-4, a run, and two RBIs; sophomore third baseman Heather Fritzen added an RBI; and junior second baseman Krista Delia chipped in by scoring two runs. Starting pitcher Gabby DeFronzo [2-3] earned the win by going four innings and only allowing one hit with no earned runs.  

The Bulldogs followed that up with a convincing 14-1 win over Roselle, on Tuesday.  

Dayton scored a run in all but the seventh inning but by then the damage was already done. Sophomore pitcher Amanda Stein [1-0] went 3 2/3 innings and allowed just one hit, no earned runs, and seven strikeouts. The Bulldogs’ bats were also alive as Fritzen led all with a 3-for-4 afternoon, including four runs scored, two RBIs, and a double. Also having a strong day at the plate were Frank [2-for-5, double, RBI], DeFronzo [1-for-1, run, double, two RBIs], freshman catcher Nikki Athan [2-for-2, two runs, RBI], and rightfielder Rachel Miller [2-for-4, two runs, double].  

BASEBALL

The Bulldogs won three consecutive conference games to improve to 11-5 on the season.   

It was a big bounce back week for the young Group IV team, following the first round loss to the much larger Group I school from Elizabeth in the UCIA tournament.   

Dayton’s first win came on Monday when Chas Bohannon went the distance and fanned seven in a 5-0 win over Brearley. Bohannon received help from the plate as Matt Roland added a double and two RBIs. Tommy Losito and Zach Stillitano each chipped in with RBI as well.  

The Bulldogs beat Summit, 4-3, on Tuesday, leading wire-to-wire. Ryan Schweikert went the distance, allowing one earned run and fanning five. Tyler Bujnowski contributed with three hits, an RBI, and scored three runs. Stillitano, Bohannon, and Roland also chipped in with two hits and a RBI apiece.   

Thursday’s 9-1 over Plainfield featured stellar hitting all around, as Bujnowski and Stillitano each had three hits and an RBI. Losito, Roland, Bohannon, Darren Farbstein, and Joseph Iuliano each added two hits and an RBI. Losito also earned the win as he relieved starter Paul Flores in the fourth inning and fanned four in the final four innings. Flores was also efficient as he yielded one run. 

Head coach Mike Abbate said this past week – and the early failures in the Elizabeth game – has taught his young team a lot about themselves.  

“The Elizabeth game helped us with some experience. During the end of that game we learned how to win games -- especially in the Summit game where we handled pressure better,” said Abbate. “We learned to be more consistent in big games. I think we learned we can play with a big school like Elizabeth.”  

Abbate said although losing early in the county playoffs stung, the bigger picture is still ahead. Dayton will need some help if they want to catch conference leader Union Catholic but Abbate said he thinks his team can make up ground and head into the state playoffs with some serious momentum, thanks to the surge they’re currently on.  

“It’s a nice week whenever you can win two conference games in a week but it’s even better to win three in a week – that’s a great week,” beamed Abbate. “If we continue to play our style of baseball and not be lured into playing other teams’ styles, we’ll be OK. Hopefully this can all continue to build and hopefully make a run in the end.”