The success of the Watchung Hills High School softball team this season, particularly in the state tournament, has been largely attributed to Riley Bobrowski’s pitching arm. Her bat proved to be just as important on Saturday in the North 2 Group 4 final.
The sophomore right-hander produced her typical outstanding performance in the circle, giving up just one unearned run on just three hits, walking two, and striking out ten. She and her sister, senior Morgan Bobrowski, delivered the big hits during a rally that saw the Warriors defeat Hunterdon Central 5-1 at Watchung Hills Regional High School to win their second sectional championship in three years.
Riley Bobrowski, who batted first and finished 2-for-2 with a double and two walks, gave her side all the runs it needed in the fourth inning when she ripped a two-out, two-run single.
Riley Bobrowski stated, “Our entire team is so together and it gives us so much confidence.” Riley Bobrowski’s squad will play North 1 champion Morristown in the state Group 4 playoffs on Tuesday. “After failing to score in the first (almost) four innings, we didn’t give up. I’m really pleased of us since we all came together as a team.
Hunterdon Central senior righty Kaitlyn Kozak and Watchung Hills’ sophomore ace engaged in a pitcher’s duel that began with Riley Bobrowski leading off with a double, Madison DiSarno singleing to begin the second, and Arianna Hughes doubled, but Kozak held the Warriors scoreless. Junior Emily Van Cleef took over for Central in the third inning, holding Watchung Hills at bay, but the newly minted sectional champions made money in the fourth inning—almost—but not at all.
After Tia Shikar reached on a mistake to begin the frame, Hughes and DiSarno each bunted and beat the throws for infield hits, loading the bases with no outs. However, Van Cleef persisted, striking out the next two batters, and it appeared as though the Red Devils might get away with it.
That was not to be, though, as Riley Bobrowski, the Warriors’ No. 9 hitter, reached base on a walk to force in the game’s first run. Bobrowski then crushed a two-run single to center field to make it 3-0. Watchung Hills lead 5-0 as Morgan Bobrowski followed with a two-run double to left field that almost left the yard.
BOX SCORE
CENTRAL HUNTERDON (15-11) 000-000-1—1-3-0
WHITE HILLS (26-3) 000-500-x – 5-7-2
WP: 16-1 R. Bobrowski. Van Cleef, LP.
2B: WH— Hughes, M. Bobrowski, and R. Bobrowski. SB: Kozak, Stallwood, HC.
