It’s a big day in high school softball as spots in the Public state finals are on the line across the state. JSZ has you covered! Check back throughout the day as the highlights come in!


Verona 9 Mahwah 8 (12 Innings) | Group 2 State Semifinal

Verona punched its ticket to its first-ever state final after one of the wildest, back-and-forth games of the 2021 season. Both Verona and Mahwah battled into the 12th inning. With the bases loaded, Melanie Naeris hit a comeback shot to pitcher Holly Amell. A play at the plate ensued and Megan Meehan scored the game-winning run after the catcher came off of home plate for the force out. Naeris pitched all 12 innings and went 4-6 from the plate with 3 RBI. Carlie Goldstein went 3-6 and chipped in 3 RBI, while Jess Loudon shined with a number of standout defensive plays at second base.

JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights and post-game reaction from a wild one in Verona:


Robbinsville 13 Cedar Creek 3 (6 innings) | Group 2 State Semifinal

The Ravens are back in the state final for the first time since winning the Group 2 crown in 2018. Franklin & Marshall commit Alexa Klepper smashed a pair of home runs in the victory for Robbinsville (21-4). Senior Brynn Hopkins also went deep and scored three times for the Ravens in the win. Senior Taylor D’Attilio knocked in a run in the loss for Cedar Creek (22-4). Robbinsville will face Verona for the Group 2 state title later this week.

JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and reaction from Egg Harbor City:

Coverage of Robbinsville is brought to you by Princeton Orthopaedic Associates.


Livingston 2 Westfield | Group 4 State Semifinal

Livingston (20-4) defeated Westfield (22-4) 2-1 to advance to the NJSIAA Group 4 Final. Freshman Sophia Mount stole the show early on for Livingston as she had a no-hitter and eight strike outs through four innings. Mount would finish with two hits allowed, one earned run and 15 strikeouts. The Lancers would score on a Megan Downey RBI in the first and a passed ball at home in the fourth inning. 

JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the highlights and postgame reaction: 

Thank you to the office of Jon Bramnick for sponsoring our Westfield coverage. 


Cranford 1 Roxbury 0 (9 innings) | Group 3 State Semifinal

Liz McCaffery’s single in the bottom of the 9th plated Ava Manfra to give Cranford a spot in the Group 3 state championship and a showdown with Colts Neck this Friday. Morrigan Gardiner pitched nine shutout inning and got help from her defense on multiple occasions. Manfra caught a ball in front of the centerfield fence in the top of the 8th to keep the game scoreless. Roxbury was able to force extra innings thanks to a Mariah McManus throw from center to get out a runner attempting to score from second. JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has all the action from a thriller in Cranford:


Colts Neck 9 Hammonton 2 | Group 3 State Semifinal

The Cougars busted a 2-1 game wide open with a six-run 6th inning, to punch a ticket to the first state final in program history. Manhattan commit Ava Metzger was once again in control in the circle, striking out 11 in the victory. Metzger also drove in a pair of runs with a double. Julianna Kowaleski, Katie Finnegan and Cassidy Relay all had RBI singles as part of Colts Neck’s big 6th inning. The Cougars (26-1) will face Cranford for the Group 3 crown. Riley Lancaster had an RBI single for the Blue Devils (20-2) in the loss.

JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights from Hammonton: