Advertisement

These 6 Morris/Sussex softball teams will play for sectional titles

robert aitken jr., northjersey.com
·4 min read

Softball semifinal rounds were completed on Tuesday and Wednesday and we now know the finalists for the 20 sectional finals across the state. On Friday and Saturday, six area teams from Morris and Sussex counties will play for a chance to become state sectional champions, including two finals between area teams.

Immaculate Conception (Lodi) at Morris Catholic

North Non-Public B final, Friday, 4 p.m.

History is on the line either way in the final of North, Non-Public B. For the Blue Wolves, it will be the final season for the program as the school prepares to shut down. A program that once won seven straight consecutive titles will try to ride off into the sunset with one more. For Morris Catholic, the Crusaders will try to become the sixth program to ever win three straight state titles after winning North Non-Public B each of the last two seasons.

Playoff standouts:

  • Senior Carly Mockenhaupt struck out 10 in a 2-hit shutout, a 6-0 win over DePaul on Tuesday. Mockenhaupt is also swinging a hot bat with hits in six of her last eight starts, including multiple hits in five of them.

  • Senior Jess Brown had two hits in the win over DePaul, including the 145th hit of her high school career. Brown also stole two bases, giving her 41 for the season and at least one stolen base in 10 of her last 11 games.

High Point at Jefferson

North 1, Group 2 final, Saturday, TBA

It will be the third matchup between High Point and Jefferson this season, this time with a sectional title on the line. Jefferson (23-7) won both earlier encounters with an 11-2 score on April 11 and a 10-6 win on April 26. The Wildcats (17-8) are a much different team, winning 11 of the 13 games since their last clash. High Point seeks its first sectional title since 2014, while Jefferson hopes to lift a trophy for the first time since 2004.

Playoff standouts:

  • Junior Mikayla Conklin had three hits and scored twice in a 5-0 win over Indian Hills on Wednesday. Conklin remains a threat on the basepaths with at least one stolen base in 10 of her last 11 games.

  • Grace Meyers struck out six in a three hit shutout over Indian Hills in the semifinals. The freshman has 25 strikeouts in 21 innings in her three playoff starts.

  • Jefferson has ridden sophomore Kama Skrek to the sectional final. The sophomore has allowed one earned run or fewer in seven of her last eight appearances.

  • Sophomore Kelly Kopera is among the Falcons that have set the tone offensively. The Jefferson middle infielder homered early in the quarterfinals against Mahwah, setting the tone for a 10-4 victory.

Morris Knolls at Roxbury

North 1, Group 3 final, Saturday, 4 p.m.

Morris Knolls and Roxbury will play one another for the fourth time this season in what also will be a rematch of last season's sectional final. Roxbury (22-4) looks to defend its sectional title after sweeping all three matchups against Morris Knolls this season. The Golden Eagles (22-4) have won eight in a row since falling to the Gaels in the Morris County tournament semifinals on May 10. Morris Knolls seeks its first sectional title since 2017.

Playoff standouts:

  • Morris Knolls was stuck in a scoreless stalemate on Wednesday with Sparta until Gabby Gesualdo laced a two-run home run to left field to put the Golden Eagles ahead. It was the fourth home run of the season for the senior and the second of the state playoffs.

  • Junior Leah Kleczkowski has been commanding in the circle for the Golden Eagles, allowing only two runs and striking out 19 across 17 innings in three playoff starts.

  • Roxbury has enjoyed the dynamic play of junior Hailey Errichiello, who has allowed two runs on eight hits in three playoff starts in the circle. Errichiello has struck out a combined 41 batters in 21 innings and has five straight games with double digit strikeouts. Errichiello is also 7-for-8 from the plate with five extra base hits, including a home run in a 9-1 win over Ramapo on Wednesday.

Whippany Park at Weehawken

North 2, Group 1 final, Saturday, TBA

Whippany Park has overcome a rough end to the regular season to return to the sectional final for the second time in three years. Losers of six of their last 10 prior to the brackets starting, the Wildcats (18-9) have rattled off three impressive victories to return to a final against top seed Weehawken (25-2). Whippany Park is seeking the 10th sectional title in program history and is trending for a title on odd numbered years after winning titles in 2021 and 2019.

Playoff standouts:

  • Mikaela Schwippert broke open the scoring in the 10th inning of Wednesday's semifinal win at Verona. Scoreless after nine, Schwippert's three-run double jumpstarted a 6-1 win for the Panthers. Schwippert is one of three Whippany Park players with 40 or more hits this season.

  • Junior Ellie Williams was spectacular in the semifinals, allowing a run on three hits across 10 innings and striking out 13. Williams also had four perfect innings in a first round win over Palisades Park.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ softball: These Morris/Sussex teams will play for sectional titles