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Dombkowski throws perfect game in shortened win over Y-D

By: Carson Field

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word “perfect” is defined by being entirely without fault or defect. That’s the only way to describe Nick Dombkowski’s outing on Wednesday. 

Dombkowski, a Hartford arm, pitched a perfect game against Yarmouth-Dennis on Wednesday. Though the game was shortened due to rain and only lasted five innings, the game goes down in the books as a 6-0 Bourne win and an official perfect game. 

“It was amazing,” Dombkowski said. “The guys behind me played really good defense, and it’s just an awesome feeling.”

Out of the gates, Dombkowski immediately imposed his will on the Red Sox’ lineup. The first three batters — like the subsequent 12 — went down in order, and he threw only 13 pitches in the first frame. 

Hours before Dombkowski’s first pitch, rain was imminent. Clouds and fog lingered. Temperatures dropped. Many questioned if the Braves would actually play an official game before a delay or cancellation.

Because of the threatening weather, Dombkowski made a concerted effort to mow opposing batters down quickly. 

“You just gotta go out there and continue to attack the hitters,” Dombkowski said. “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t cross my mind a few times.”

As the game progressed, Dombkowski began to realize he could accomplish something he never had.

Some players believe in superstitions; others don’t. Either way, Dombkowski wasn’t taking any chances. 

“I started noticing guys moving away from me and not talking to me, so I got the hint,” Dombkowski said. 

Through five innings, Dombkowski allowed zero baserunners and struck out seven opposing hitters. In the top of the sixth, Dombkowski and the Braves took the field with the hope of keeping his gem intact. But mother nature ended the game shortly after. 

With a full count against Wyatt Young, Dombkowski avoided a potential baserunner. The umpires met in the infield and decided to delay the contest. Eventually, they called the game and ruled it official. 

This was just the second perfect game in Bourne Braves history. In 2008, Nick McCully threw a shortened perfect game. 

To make Wednesday even more special, Dombkowski threw to one of his teammates at Hartford: Robert Cormody. Bourne added Cormody to the squad on Wednesday, and the Y-D game marked his first in the Cape League. 

“We were on the same page, and it’s just an awesome feeling,” Dombkowski said. 

Even though Dombkowski didn’t pitch a full nine innings, a perfect game — of any capacity — is astonishing. But this didn’t stop his teammates from giving him a hard time about the shortened game. 

“There is no celebration; that’s soft,” reliever Karl Johnson joked. “If he throws his next three perfet, then we’ll count it.”

Whether or not his teammates see this as an official perfect game is irrelevant. This feat is now cemented into Bourne’s history book forever. 

And, in the short term, Bourne’s magic number has shrunk to 14 points. A win over Brewster Thursday could further solidify the Braves’ spot in the playoff picture.