South Jersey Softball Outlook

by Marc Narducci | Mar 27, 2026

The South Jersey softball season is upon us and here is a look at the key points of the upcoming season and a review of last year. The cutoff date for this year’s NJSIAA tournament is May 16.

NJSIAA Public School Playoffs

May 26: First round at higher seed

May 28: Second round at higher seed

June 2: Third round at higher seed

June 4: Sectional finals at higher seed

June 8: state semifinals at the team with the higher power points

June 12: State finals: Ivy Hill Park, Newark.

NJSIAA Non-Public Playoffs

May 27: First round at higher seed

May 29: Second round at higher seed

June 3: Round 3 at the higher seed

June 5: Sectional finals at the higher seed

June 10: State finals at Ivy Hill Park in Newark

Last year’s NJSIAA sectional and state champions

Gloucester was the lone South Jersey team to win a state title. The Lions beat Hanover Park, 3-2 in the final, to earn its second straight South Jersey Group 2 state crown.

Two other teams from the seven-county South Jersey area advanced to the state final. Audubon lost to perennial power Cedar Grove, 6-0, in the state Group 1 final. St. Joseph of Hammonton fell to DePaul, 3-1, in the Non-Public B state championship.

Defending South Jersey champions

SJ Group 1: Audubon 9, Haddon Township 5.

SJ Group 2: Gloucester 5, Cinnaminson 4

SJ Group 3: Delsea 4, Clearview 3

SJ Group 4: Kingsway 8, Rancocas Valley 2

SJ Non-Public A: Donovan Catholic 8, St. John Vianney 4

SJ Non-Public B: St. Joseph Hammonton 5, Holy Cross Prep 0

Carpenter Cup

Tri-Cape, consisting of players from the Tri-County and Cape Atlantic League, won the 20^th annual Carpenter Cup softball championship, beating Delaware South, 3-2, in the championship game. It was the second title in three years for Tri-Cape. Current senior third baseman Brooke Douglas of Ocean City was named the Carpenter Cup MVP.

The dates for this year’s Carpenter Cup, which consists of All-star teams from Delaware, New Jesey and Pennsylvania, have yet to be released.

Biggest question entering the season

Can Gloucester three-peat as a state champion?

Don’t bet against coach Megan Mason’s team. There are five seniors to replace, but there should be enough reinforcements to be highly competitive. Among the key returnees is senior pitcher Emma Dick, who had 103 strikeouts and a 2.03 ERA. In addition, the Lions return their leading hitter, junior Bailey Schoenfeldt, who batted .417 and has accumulated 73 hits in her first two years.

Dynamic Duo

Ocean City has a great pitching and hitting tandem of the aforementioned Brooke Douglas and Jessica Mooney, both seniors. The two split pitching duties last year with Mooney having a 2.28 ERA and Douglas 3.61, with 142 strikeouts in 83.1 innings. In addition, Douglas batted .531 and Mooney .407. These two players bring optimism to an Ocean City teams that could be a contender in South Jersey Group 3.

Tri-Cape championship / Marc Narducci

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Author: Marc Narducci

South Jersey Softball Outlook

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