West Milford softball beats rival to win new-look Dondero Classic
Darlene Dondero wore No. 17. In the first Dondero Classic played since Darlene's father, Bob, died, West Milford and Lakeland combined for 17 runs.
WEST MILFORD – Alyssa Kral didn’t mind wearing red. At least, not this time. “No, not today,” the West Milford senior said.
“I mean, one game a year, one game. ” Powered by a grand slam and five RBIs by Izzy Gibson, West Milford won the Dondero Classic softball game, 14-4, over rival Lakeland on April 20. This was the first playing of the two teams in the game named for Lakeland softball star Darlene Dondero since 2018.
“Finally, finally, we’re frozen, but no rain,” laughed West Milford coach Nikki Gwinnett. With temperatures in the 40s, both teams wore the same black tops with the name Dondero on the front and her number, 17, on the back. The teams did wear different colored pants.
It was also the first time the game was played since the death of Darlene’s father, Bob, a long-time coach at both schools. Bob’s wife Marilyn threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and handed out a new traveling trophy to West Milford at game’s end. True to her word, Marilyn sat on one side of the field for the first 3.