Sports
Ksiezopolski, Raiders blank Bridgewater-Raritan
Brittany Ksiezopolski fired a three-hit shutout to lead Hillsborough to a Skyland Conference Delaware Division victory
Senior right-hander Brittany Ksiezopolski posted her fifth shutout, and catcher Alex Wells led the offense with a single, double and an RBI on Tuesday to lead the Raiders softball team to a 5-0 victory over Bridgewater-Raritan at Hillsborough High School.
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IN SHORT
Ksiezopolski’s arm kept Bridgewater-Raritan at bay, the Hillsborough defense
turned in a stellar performance, and the Raiders got runners on in all but one
inning to improve to 12-2, and 9-1 in the Skyland Conference Delaware Division.
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Wells led off the second inning with a double, and after a walk by Emma Hornich and sacrifice by Kristi Ann Ivone, Lauren Panek put down a bunt that was thrown away, chasing two Raiders runners home.
Hillsborough added a run in the second on a groundout by Alexis Pezza, and scored twice more in third on RBIs by Wells and Hornich.
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The Raiders defense committed one error – on the game’s first hitter – and played flawlessly the rest of the way, including outstanding plays by Hornich, Pezza and Ivone.
Hillsborough’s defensive fundamentals were most impressive in the third inning
when Bridgewater-Raritan had runners on second and third with none out. Ksiezopolski induced three ground balls, all of which resulted on the runners
being frozen at their respective bases, as the batter was gunned down at first.
RAIDER OF THE GAME
Brittany Ksiezopolski – The right-hander allowed just three hits, walked two and struck out five to post her 23rd career varsity shutout. The senior also doubled in the third inning, setting up a run.
OTHER KEY PERFORMANCES
Alex Wells – The senior catcher went 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. The only
time she was retired was on a fantastic diving stop and perfect throw by
Bridgewater-Raritan third baseman Bri Jordan.
Alison Shimko – The sophomore third baseman finished 1-for-2 with a double and two walks. The only time she was retired was on a leaping catch by Panthers right fielder Kelsey Bray.
Angela LoBrutto – The Raiders designated hitter singled, walked, scored a run and was on base three times Tuesday.
THEY SAID IT
"The famous saying is ‘Defense wins championships.’ Sure, you’ve got to score,
but if you let up 10 runs, it’s not going to do you any good.”
- Hillsborough shortstop Alexis Pezza on the Raiders’ defensive effort Tuesday
UP NEXT – at North Hunterdon, 3:45 p.m. Wednesday
