Raiders defeat J.P. Case, 7-5, in title game
By Kelly Velocci, Packet Media Group
Hillsborough Middle School’s girls’ softball team brought home a championship title Tuesday after winning the Central Jersey Junior Softball League.
The Raiders beat Flemington’s J.P. Case Middle School, 7-5, on the Hillsborough school’s home field. Hillsborough’s Alexa Penna scored the first run in the second inning with help from Jenny Klein’s single to right center.
Sophia Leone hit the ball over the fence for a Raider home run. Alissa Saverino walked and Ashley Steeneck hit a single before Penna’s home run brought the Raiders to a 5-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, after J.P. Case brought in a run, Hillsborough’s Leone hit a triple and scored on Hanna McCray’s single, upping the Raiders to a 7-1 lead.
J.P. Case came back in the fifth inning with one run, followed by three in the sixth, inching them closer to the Raiders, 7-5.
Rich Rosenblum and Assistant coach Larissa McCann lead the Lady Raiders to a 15-1 season. Mr. Rosenblum said he strives to teach his players more than just the game of softball.
”Anyone can win or lose. It’s about how you conduct yourself,” he said.
Mr. Rosenblum said this achievement was also due to the parents. “They are as big of a part of this as I am. A lot of this goes to them, they deserve this as much as I do and the girls,” he said.
Mr. Rosenblum has been a softball coach at the middle school for nine years and holds an overall coaching record of 130-9.
The Raiders entered the championship game Tuesday after a tight win in the semifinals against Bridgewater. Hillsborough and Bridgewater remained tied entering the seventh inning until catcher Hannah McCray hit a walk-off homer. J.P. Case beat Branchburg for a spot in the championship game.