By Albert Countryman Jr.
On a beautiful, crisp night for softball with a huge crowd in attendance, the Gloucester City High School team defeated cross-town rival Gloucester Catholic, 4-2, using the long ball.
In the top of the first inning, Sam Dobleman crushed a fast ball way over the left field fence to give the Lady Lions a 1-0 lead.
Meanwhile, behind some great defense, Gloucester City pitcher Taylor Chain kept the Lady Rams from scoring over the first five innings.
In the fourth inning, Erica Smizer led off with a single and Dobleman hit a ball to deep center. The crowd roared as it soared through the night sky.
Lady Rams centerfielder Kristin Collins made a mighty leap for the ball against the fence, but it glanced off her glove and into the crowd for a home run.
Kelsey Cutler led off the top of the fifth, and smoked a fast ball for a home run to left to give the Lady Lions a 4-0 lead.
It was the first win over the Lady Rams for the Gloucester City seniors, who were honored before the game. They are Jackie Leafey, Tiffaney Stiteler, Smizer, Cutler and Dobleman.
Also honored were the Gloucester Catholic seniors, Melissa Jackson, Shauna Vennell and Amanda Rice.
Both teams have qualified for the state playoffs, and the annual rivalry game is a great tune-up.
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