Sports
Clutch Hitting Abandons Warriors in County Semis
Watchung Hills leaves 10 runners on base and is eliminated by Hillsborough.
The softball team collected seven hits and reached on three errors Saturday, but the fifth-seeded Warriors stranded all 10 runners–including six in scoring position–and fell 2-0 to top-seeded and defending champion Hillsborough in the semifinals of the Somerset County Tournament.
IN SHORT
Freshmen Meghan Kovac and McKayla Brady each notched two singles, and the Warriors posted hits in every inning but the third, but the clutch hit eluded Watchung Hills on Saturday to deny the Warriors their first trip to the final since 2004. The loss marked Watchung Hills’ third to the Raiders this season–all by two runs or less.
The Warriors' best scoring chance came in the fourth inning. Brady singled with one out and Brianna Paltan reached on an error. Grace Hurley executed a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners, but Hillsborough ace Brittany Ksiezopolski induced a foul pop out to end the threat.
Sophomore Abby Cline certainly pitched well enough to win for Watchung Hills, allowing just one earned run, but Alison Shimko’s RBI single in the bottom of the first inning and two ill-timed errors in the fifth gave Hillsborough its runs and a trip to the final.
Find out what's happening in Warrenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
WARRIOR OF THE GAME
Abby Cline–The sophomore right-hander allowed just one earned run on five hits, walked two and struck out four. Cline also singled in the second inning.
OTHER KEY PERFORMANCES
McKayla Brady–The freshman went 2-for-3, and recorded two putouts in left field on long drives toward the fence.
Find out what's happening in Warrenfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Meghan Kovac–The freshman shortstop went 2-for-4 from the leadoff spot, but was left stranded.
Brianna Paltan–The Warriors right fielder twice hustled to first base to reach on errors, but was left at second base each time.
THEY SAID IT
“We talked about being aggressive and not letting her get ahead of us, so we were trying to jump on the first good pitch, and a lot of us did that. I was really happy with our hitting, it was just one of those days where you couldn’t get the one you needed and we had several opportunities. We were right in it.”-Watchung Hills coach Mike D’Alessandro on his team’s inability to find the clutch hit Saturday
UP NEXT–Hunterdon Central, 3:45 p.m. Tuesday at Watchung Hills Regional High School
