On Monday night, Donaghey was back on the diamond at Lions Park. But this time, the peewee-aged softballer was among teammates just a few years his senior.
Late Sunday evening, Donaghey received a call from his cousin, ace pitcher Mike Noftall. Noftall’s team, 3 Cheers Pub/Bud Light, was short a couple of bodies and needed someone to play shortstop for a Molson St. John’s intermediate league game against the Conception Bay South Storm.
“I was pretty thrilled to just be asked,” says Donaghey. “I did one last year, but it was just the one and I didn’t play any innings.”
For most of Monday’s game against the Storm, Donaghey was limited to fielding.
“There was one ball hit to him and he bobbled it a little, but aside from that, he looked comfortable out there,” says 3 Cheers coach Hughie Clarke, adding he’ll have the youngster back again.
The team used a designated player (DP) to hit for Donaghey’s in his three at-bats, but let him step into the box with his last. Donaghey made contact, but popped out.
“I was a little bit nervous, but not too bad.,” he said.
With Noftall tossing a gem in his team’s 3-0 win, Donaghey needn’t have been nervous about his play.
Noftall held the Storm to two hits and a single walk while striking out 13 batters— including the side in the fourth and fifth innings.
Noftall led his team at the plate as well, going three-for-four with a solo homer and two RBIs.
Doug Marshall (7H, 1W, 6K) took the loss for C.B.S. Mike Gregory and Dean Hammond had the only hits off Noftall.
NL Midget Selects 5, Trimmer Homes 3
Ryan Kirk’s two-run single in the eighth inning completed the come-from-behind win for the Midgets, who were down 3-2 in the seventh before tying the game and forcing an extra inning
Matt Power (3R, 5H, 5W, 9K) went the distance for the win. Ryan Paquette (4IP, 3R, 6H, 6W, 4K) took the loss in relief of Sean Everson (4IP, 2R, 5H, 3W, 7K).
Andrew Gale of the Midgets and Trimmer’s Mike Crowe each hit solo homers.
koliver@thetelegram.com
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