Sports
Brady, Paltan Lead Warriors into Sectional Semis
Watchung Hills' corner outfielders combined to drive in five runs.
Freshman left fielder McKayla Brady drove in three runs, and sophomore right fielder Brianna Paltan collected two hits and two RBIs, as the fifth-seeded softball team scored an 8-5 victory over fourth-seeded Bridgewater-Raritan on Thursday in the quarterfinals of the NJSIAA North 2, Group IV Tournament.
IN SHORT
Brady and catcher Dana Mertz each plated runs in the first inning, as the Warriors jumped out to a 2-0 lead.
After Bridgewater-Raritan sliced the lead in half in the bottom of the frame, Watchung Hills scored four times in the second, highlighted by a two-out, two-run single Brady lined off the first baseman’s glove.
Find out what's happening in Warrenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Panthers cut the deficit to 6-4 with three second-inning runs of their own, and turned it in to a one-run game with a tally in the bottom of the fourth. But Paltan broke it open with two outs in the top of the sixth, lining a two-run single to center field.
Senior Grace Hurley went the distance in the circle to notch the victory. The right-hander allowed just two earned runs, and, after a rough start, scattered just four hits over the final five innings.
Find out what's happening in Warrenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The Warriors will face top-seeded Hunterdon Central at 3:45 p.m. in Tuesday’s semifinals in Raritan Township. The Red Devils have lost just once this season (1-0 to Glen Ridge on May 12), but Watchung Hills took Central to nine innings in their regular-season meeting.
WARRIOR OF THE GAME
Brianna Paltan – The sophomore posted two hits, but her two-out, two-run single in the sixth inning turned a one-run nail-biter into a three-run victory for the Warriors
OTHER KEY PERFORMANCES
McKayla Brady – The rookie left fielder finished with three RBIs, including the big knock during Watchung Hills’ four-run second inning
Dana Mertz –The sophomore catcher finished 1-for-2 with a double, a walk, a sacrifice fly and two RBIs
Grace Hurley – The senior picked up the victory in the circle, and finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored, a stolen base and a hit by pitch
THEY SAID IT
“You have to play like (the score) is 0-0 all game because if you don’t you’ll just try and take advantage of the lead and you’ll slack off, and then they could comeback.”
-- Warriors pitcher Grace Hurley on her mentality in the circle, despite pitching with a five-run lead in the second inning
UP NEXT – At top-seeded Hunterdon Central, 3:45 p.m. Tuesday in the semifinals
