Watchung Hills Knocks Off Hunterdon Central for North 2 Group 4 Title

WATCHUNG, NJ — The Watchung Hills High School softball team’s success this season, especially during the state tournament, has largely been credited to Riley Bobrowski’s pitching arm. But on Saturday in the North 2 Group 4 final, her bat proved just as vital.

The sophomore right-hander delivered her usual standout performance in the circle, surrendering just one unearned run on three hits while walking two and striking out ten. Then she and her sister, senior Morgan Bobrowski, came through with clutch hits during a decisive rally that carried the Warriors past Hunterdon Central, 5-1, at Watchung Hills Regional High School. The victory gave Watchung Hills its second sectional championship in three years.

Riley Bobrowski, batting leadoff and finishing 2-for-2 with a double and two walks, provided all the runs her team would need in the fourth inning when she ripped a two-out, two-run single.

Watchung Hills Defeats Hunterdon Central

“Our entire team is so locked in together, and that gives us a ton of confidence,” said Riley Bobrowski, whose squad will face North 1 champion Morristown in the state Group 4 playoffs on Tuesday. “We didn’t score for almost four innings, but we never gave up. I’m really proud of everyone because we came together as a team.”

The game began as a pitcher’s duel between Hunterdon Central senior right-hander Kaitlyn Kozak and Watchung Hills’ sophomore ace. Riley Bobrowski led off with a double, Madison DiSarno singled to start the second, and Arianna Hughes doubled—but Kozak kept the Warriors off the scoreboard. Junior Emily Van Cleef took over for Central in the third inning and continued to hold Watchung Hills at bay. But the newly crowned sectional champions broke through in the fourth inning.

After Tia Shikar reached on an error to open the frame, Hughes and DiSarno each laid down bunts and beat the throws for infield singles, loading the bases with no outs. Van Cleef held tough, striking out the next two batters, and it looked like the Red Devils might escape unscathed.

But that wasn’t meant to be. The Warriors’ No. 9 hitter drew a walk to force in the game’s first run. Then Riley Bobrowski ripped a two-run single to center field, making it 3-0. Morgan Bobrowski followed with a two-run double to left field that nearly cleared the fence, pushing the lead to 5-0.