West Milford softball beats rival to win new-look Dondero Classic

TL;DR

West Milford defeated Lakeland 14-4 in the Dondero Classic softball game on April 20, led by Izzy Gibson's grand slam and five RBIs. This marked the first meeting of the two teams in the event since 2018.

Key points

West Milford won the Dondero Classic 14-4 against Lakeland
Izzy Gibson hit a grand slam and had five RBIs
This was the first game since 2018
The event honors Lakeland softball star Darlene Dondero

Mentioned in this story

Izzy GibsonDarlene Dondero

Dondero ClassicWest MilfordLakeland

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.

West Milford and Lakeland softball players pose with Marilyn Dondero (center) after the Dondero Classic April 20, 2026.

“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 3.5 innings before switching to the other.

Darlene was a student at West Point when she died in a car accident in April of 1994. The Dondero Classic started a year later and used to feature just about every team in Passaic County. Next year, the hope is to play the game at West Point.