It's time for the state softball finals. Here's what to know for South Jersey's teams
As the NJSIAA softball tournament returns to Kean University, three South Jersey squads will be making a return trip to the state finals this weekend.
Here’s a preview:
State Non-Public B
St. Joseph (21-6) vs. Morris Catholic (24-6)
Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Coaches: St. Joseph-Les Olson; Morris Catholic-Nick DeGennaro
State titles: St. Joseph- 0; Morris Catholic-4 (1982, 1986, 2021, 2022)
Familiar foes: These two teams have met in the state final each of the last two seasons with Morris Catholic posting 2-0 and 4-3 victories.
Streaks: Morris Catholic has won three straight games in the postseason, outscoring the competition 23-0 over the stretch. Overall, the Crusaders have won nine of their last 10 games, dating back to May 9.
St. Joseph is 3-0 in the postseason, posting a 33-3 difference in runs scored. The Wildcats have won four straight overall, including a 1-0 win over state Group 2 finalist Haddon Heights when Ava Fisher fired a three-hit shutout.
The Wildcats have made it to the state final nine times in their history, but are still looking for that elusive first title.
Players to Watch
St. Joseph
Ava Fisher. The Wildcats’ state title hopes hinge strongly on the right shoulder of this junior fireballer. With one of the Garden State’s best heaters (which tops out at 68 mph), Fisher has limited opponents to 78 hits over 151 innings. She’s struck out 253, but the catch has been 118 walks and 20 hit-by-pitches. Fisher provides the thump in the middle of the St. Joe lineup, too, with a .410 batting average, 32 RBIs and 10 home runs, one off the school record for round-trippers in a season currently held by Candi Dean.
Macie Jacquet. The senior has provided leadership and production over St. Joseph’s sectional title run over the three seasons. With lots of speed for a catcher, Jacquet leads the team with 17 stolen bases and 27 runs scored.
Alaina Dorsey. The freshman is the table setter out of the leadoff spot. Her 32 hits rank second on the club and she has a team-high 17 walks. She’s got some pop in the bat, too, with eight extra-base hits, including four triples.
Morris Catholic
Jessica Brown. One of the most dynamic players in the state. The senior has 49 hits, 44 runs scored and 42 stolen bases this season. She has 17 multi-hit games this spring and 147 career hits.
Kate Heslin. The junior is a major power source in the middle of the batting order with 10 homers and 35 RBIs.
Carly Mockenhaupt. The senior is one of five Crusaders with 30 or more hits and she leads the team with 39 RBIs. Hannah Streicher and Mockenhaupt have been a lethal 1-2 punch in the circle and both could see innings against St. Joseph.
Prediction: Morris Catholic 3, St. Joseph 1
State Group 1
Clayton (27-1) vs. Cedar Grove (26-3)
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Coaches: Clayton-Joe Moore; Cedar Grove-Nikki Velardi
State titles: Clayton-2 (2021, 2022); Cedar Grove-5 (1977, 1979, 2015, 2017, 2019,
Streaks: The Clippers have won 26 in a row since a 4-3, 10-inning loss to Gloucester Catholic on April 5. Over the last 50 games (dating back to last year), Clayton is 47-3. This spring, Clayton has outscored the opposition 22-4.
The Panthers have won 19 straight since a 3-1 loss to Mount St. Dominic on April 21. Since an 8-16 season in 2021, Cedar Grove has rebounded with a 45-12 mark.
Players to Watch
Clayton
Gianna Muhaw. As eye-popping as her stats were last year, the reigning Courier-Post Player of the Year posted even better numbers this spring. The senior is batting .580 atop the Clippers’ lineup with 58 hits, 52 runs scored, 29 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Clayton’s offense has a powerful engine and “Gigi” is the spark plug.
Meadow Lake. Big-game pitcher and “Bulldog” are synonymous The senior is 2-0 in state finals with wins over Whippany Park and Weehawkin. Over 14 innings in those title tilts, she has allowed one run on six hits with two walks and 21 strikeouts.
Alana Gannon. Another big-run producer in the middle of the order, the senior has accumulated career-highs in hits (42), batting average (.472), RBIs (40) and doubles (12). She's the owner of 16 career homers, including a pair in the state semifinal against New Egypt.
Allyson Koerner. One of the best clutch hitters in the business. She has 120 career hits and 102 RBIs.
Cedar Grove
Cayce Kavakich. After striking out 267 batters last spring, the sophomore fireballer has taken the K to another level. She has fanned 318 over 180.1 with 81 hits and 44 walks. One of the top two-way players in the Garden State, Kavakich leads the team with 54 hits and .524 batting average to go along with 38 runs scored and 19 stolen bases.
Gabriella Florre. The sophomore leads the team with 40 runs scored and 28 stolen bases.
Prediction: Cedar Grove 1, Clayton 0
State Group 2
Haddon Heights (22-6) vs. Jefferson (25-7)
Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
Coaches: Haddon Heights-Michelle Hastings; Jefferson-Amy Pearce
State titles: Haddon Heights-1 (2022); Jefferson-7 (1981, 1985, 1986, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2004)
Streaks: Haddon Heights has won five straight games in the postseason, outscoring the opponents 45-0. The Garnets have allowed only three baserunners (two hits, one walk) – all coming in the state semifinal against Delran.
In its last nine postseason games (dating back to last spring), Haddon Heights has outscored the opposition 86-2.
Jefferson has won its last six games and 11 of its last 12.
Players to Watch
Haddon Heights
Sophia Bordi. After hitting three home runs in last year’s sectional final, Bordi struck out 19 en route to a perfect game against Cinnaminson in the South Jersey Group 2 final. Last spring, Bordi struck out 20 en route to a no-hitter in last year’s state final. What can she do for encore?
In 87 career postseason innings, Bordi has yielded three runs on 26 hits and struck out a whopping 179 batters.
Maddy Clark. The Rider-bound senior launched two home runs in last year’s state final. She leads this year’s squad with 31 hits and 22 runs scored.
Gracie Granate. The junior slugged the decisive 3-run homer in the state semifinal against Delran.
Jordan D’Amelio. The freshman has settled in nicely atop the Garnets’ lineup. She has 31 hits and 21 runs scored.
Jefferson
Abby Cooper. The senior leads the team with 43 hits and has also drawn eight walks, plus eight hit-by-pitches.
Katie Kopera. Another pesky hitter in the Jefferson lineup, the sophomore has posted 32 hits, 11 walks and nine HBPs and leads the team with 36 runs scored.
Kama Skrek. The sophomore is the ace of the Jefferson staff with 182 strikeouts over 168 2/3 innings. She possesses good command (29 walks).
Prediction: Haddon Heights 1, Jefferson 0
Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: NJSIAA softball state finals will be played this weekend at Kean
