MAPLEWOOD/SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Sophomore Claire Shupe pitched a six-inning one-hitter with nine strikeouts and one walk to lead the defending champion Columbia High School softball team to a 10-0 win over Kearny in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 state tournament on Wednesday, May 22, at Meadowland Park field.
At the plate, Shupe also went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a single and two RBI.
Senior Ellie Martin went 3-for-4 with two singles, a double and one RBI; senior Maisie Pietruski had a single and a double; and junior Charlotte Klepesch had two singles and two RBI.
The Cougars, who improved to 15-9 overall on the season, were scheduled to host No. 6 seed Ridgewood in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, May 28, after press time. If they won, the Cougars will play either No. 2 seed Passaic County Tech or No. 7 seed Bloomfield in the semifinals on Thursday, May 30, at the higher-seeded site. The final is Saturday, June 1, at the higher-seeded school’s field.
Livingston is the top seed and was scheduled to host No. 8 seed Bergen County Tech, while No. 4 seeded Montclair hosted No. 12 seed Morristown, in the other quarterfinal games. CHS defeated Livingston in last year’s sectional final.
Photos Courtesy of Rocco Ungaro
Columbia vs. Kearny
Columbia HS softball team wins in sectional first round added by Joe Ragozzino on
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