Donovan Catholic Softball Team Playing For State Championship Saturday

Toms River, NJ -- When the Donovan Catholic softball team steps onto the field Saturday at Kean University, it will be the first time since 1988 that the Griffins will be playing for an overall state championship.

Back then, the Griffins had just become Monsignor Donovan after decades of being known as St. Joseph's High School. 

Back then, Immaculate Heart Academy -- the Griffins' opponent Saturday -- was two years away from beginning a streak of 14 straight appearances in the NJSIAA Group Championship game. 

The first pitch in the NJSIAA Non-Public A championship game between the two is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Kean University. The game follows an 11 a.m. matchup between Middletown South and Steinert in the Group III final and a 1 p.m. meeting between Butler and New Egypt in the Group I title game, so the start time is approximate, officials said.

Immaculate Heart, the defending NJSIAA Non-Public A champion, is arguably the most dominant softball program in the state, having made 20 appearances in the Non-Public A title game going back to 1990, with 10 championships including last year. The Blue Eagles, who come into Saturday's game having won 29 straight games, will present a tough test for the Griffins, who have won 14 of their last 16 games.

But, as a report on NJ.com noted, the Griffins have faced tough tests all along this season and especially in the state tournament. 

Donovan Catholic had to travel to Holmdel to face top-seeded St. John Vianney, long known as the Shore Conference's softball powerhouse. (The Lancers have five NJSIAA championships in nine appearances, including four victories against Immaculate Heart in seven meetings.) The Griffins won that game, 1-0, despite six hits by the Lancers.

Then Donovan Catholic had to go to Red Bank Catholic to face the Caseys, another perennial Shore Conference and state contender, and won that game 5-2. 

On Tuesday, the Griffins traveled to Stockton University and knocked off Notre Dame for the South Jersey Non-Public A championship. 

So clearly facing big-name teams doesn't faze these girls.

Freshman pitcher Lindsay Nelson has more than 160 strikeouts this season, according to statistics posted on NJ.com, including 36 through the four state tournament games so far; she struck out 10 in the 3-1 opening victory over Immaculata and 10 against Vianney. She also is batting .535 for the season with 17 RBI.

Freshman Lindsay Hay is batting .529 with 22 RBI, including the winning run in the 3-1 victory over Notre Dame, and has scored 15 runs, while sophomore Alexa Pagano is batting .500 this year with 25 runs scored.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO THE GAME AT KEAN UNIVERSITY:

Directions: Take the Garden State Parkway north to Exit 140; get onto Route 22 East. Turn right onto Route 82 East. At sixth traffic light, make a right onto Green Lane. Make a left onto campus at first traffic light.  Cougar Field is located behind Harwood Arena/D'Angola Gymnasium, on your right.

Admission is charged; messages left with multiple organizations seeking the ticket prices have not been returned.

(Donovan Catholic celebrates after beating Notre Dame in the South Jersey Non-Public A title game on Tuesday. Photo via Donovan Catholic Facebook page)