Strong showing by SJ High School Softball Teams

South Jersey high schools enjoyed a big showing during the NJSIAA softball state tournament. There are six crowned champions in Public Schools Group 1 through 4 and Non-Public A and B.

There are four sections of the state – North 1, North 2, Central and South.
South Jersey school captured two of the six state titles, earning a berth in the Tournament of Champions.

Clayton repeated as the champion in Group 1. Haddon Heights won the title in Group 2.

In addition, two South Jersey teams lost one-run games in state championship games - Egg Harbor Township in Group 4 and St. Joseph Hammonton in Non-Public B.

Clayton, which surprised many by winning the state title in 2021, played like the favorite it was this season and beat Weehawken, 5-1 in this year’s state Group 1 final.

Junior Lake Meadow went the distance for Clayton, firing a five-hitter and striking out 11. Brionna Berwick and Allyson Koerner each drove in two runs for the winning Clippers.

In winning six tournament games, Clayton outscored teams 57-6. The Clippers didn’t feel the pressure of having to defend their state title.

Haddon Heights has been led this year by two of South Jersey’s top players, junior shortstop Maddy Clark and Freshman pitcher Sophia Bordi.

Both came through in a big way during the Garnet’s 4-0 win over Hanover Park in the state Group 2 championship.

Clark hit two home runs and drove in all four runs for the Garnets. Bordi pitched a no-hitter, striking out 20 and walking two.

Here are Bordi’s last four games:

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In a 1-0 SJ Group 2 semifinal win over Delran, she pitched a no-hitter with 18 strikeouts.

During an 8-0 win over defending champion Cedar Creek in the SJ Group 2 final, she pitched a five-hitter and struck out 15.

In a 3-0 state Group 2 semifinal win over Bordentown, she allowed two hits, while striking out 19.

And then the no-hit, 20-strikeout performance in the state final.
Egg Harbor Township lost a 2-1 decision in nine innings to Watchung Hills in the Group 4 state final.

The Eagles lost on a solo walk-off home run by Ella Stevenson in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Sophomore Madison Dollard was masterful, going 8 1/3 innings and allowing just two runs while striking out five. That increased her season total to 175. With two seasons left, Dollard and EHT should continue to make their marks in softball.

And finally, St. Joseph Hammonton lost to Morris Catholic, 4-3, in the state Non-Public B final. That came after St. Joseph had defeated Gloucester Catholic, 3-2, to win the South Jersey Non-Public B title.

Sophomore Kylie Tomlin was the hitting standout in the state final for the Wildcats, going 2 for 3 with an RBI. Classmate Ava Fisher went the distance on the mound.

The Wildcats will lose some key seniors but with sophomores such as Fisher and Tomlin leading the way, St. Joseph should remain a highly competitive team.

Author: Marc Narducci