Hopewell junior leads Bulldogs to victory in Mercer Final.
By: Tim Falls
Courtney Sorg’s absence proved how much of an impact the Hopewell Valley Central High School junior pitcher could make.
Since Sorg returned May 2 after being out for two weeks with mononucleosis, her team has put together a rather impressive winning streak which includes a victory in the Mercer County Championship and the first round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III tournament.
The Bulldogs won six straight games and 10 out of the 12 games they have played since Sorg stepped back on the mound.
"I had mono for two weeks," said Sorg. "I’ve really wanted to play. I’ve been more into the games since I got back."
It showed.
Sorg’s efforts helped carry Hopewell Valley through the Mercer County Tournament to a 3-2 victory over Steinert, the defending champion, last Thursday.
The junior pitcher struck out seven Spartan batters in the final and was named the Most Valuable Player in the tournament.
"I was kind of shocked," Sorg said of that honor. "I knew I was pitching well, but I didn’t hit well at all."
Sorg’s defensive efforts were more than enough to make up for a lack of offensive achievements.
Sorg struck out in her three at bats in the final after striking out three times in the Bulldogs’ 2-1 win over Ewing on May 16 in the semifinal.
While Sorg struggled at the plate, she made sure the Spartans were equally as frustrated when she took the mound.
Steinert only managed four hits.
While the Spartans scored in the first to take a lead and tied the game in the fifth after the Bulldogs rallied with runs in the second and third innings, Sorg stopped several Spartan runners in scoring position with crucial strikeouts and the help of her teammates.
The game ended as Kim Fearnbach scored on a suicide squeeze as Rosie Rarich laid down a bunt in the bottom of the seventh. Sorg closed out the top of the seventh by striking out the final two batters.
Even after winning four straight and taking out higher seeded teams, Hopewell Valley entered the final as an underdog with fifth-seeded Steinert on a winning streak of its own.
Sorg said the main difference between the two teams was desire.
"I think we wanted it more," said Sorg. "I think we’re the same in talent. We were more excited to be there."
It had been 24 years since Hopewell Valley had won a county championship. It had barely been 12 months since Steinert’s last won the county title.
Without Sorg, the Bulldogs weren’t in position to reach the final, let alone win it.
Sorg returned just as Hopewell Valley started to hit and make the plays in needed to win some very crucial games.
"I came back when my team was doing a lot better," said Sorg. "So that made everything better. We were hitting the ball and scoring more runs."
Once Sorg returned, Hopewell Valley split back-to-back games with Ewing and later Allentown and then started collecting wins over Nottingham, Lawrence and West Windsor-Plainsboro South.
Hopewell Valley recorded a shutout victory over Hamilton, 8-0, as Sorg struck out eight in the first round of the Mercer County Tournament, May 6.
In the Mercer County quarterfinal, Hopewell Valley upset second-seeded Notre Dame, 5-3, on May 13.
After taking down the Irish, Hopewell Valley advanced for another match-up against Ewing.
"Hamilton, I knew we could win," said Sorg. "Notre Dame, I knew we could win, but it would be tough. Ewing, I was scared to death."
Even more so than Steinert, Sorg dreaded facing the Blue Devils for the third time.
"That was the game," said Hopewell Valley catcher Gina Pagano. "Ewing was the hardest."
Sorg’s strikeouts and two double plays helped Hopewell Valley edge Ewing, 2-1, in the Mercer County Semifinal on May 16.
Sorg pitched a three-hitter and struck out 10 to improve to 12-6 as Hopewell Valley shutout Colts Neck, 5-0, in the first round of the Central Jersey Group III tournament.
Sorg escaped her hitting woes and joined teammates Elise Renoe and Ashly Wilson in doubling for the Bulldogs, while Pagano and Wilson each had two hits.
Hopewell Valley advanced to face Freehold Boro away in the next round at 4 p.m. today.

