One year after falling one run short of a state title, the Lions, No. 11 in the NJ.com Top 20, returned to the Group 4 State Championship and got it done by surviving a late onslaught, then topping No. 9 Vineland, 6-5, in 10 innings on Sunday evening at Kean University.
The Lions will continue their quest to be the best NJ High School softball team this Tuesday in the Meet of Champions Quarterfinals with third-seeded and No. 11 North Hunterdon (25-5) facing sixth-seeded Lodi Immaculate (20-7) at 7pm.
Check out the stars of the Group 4 State Championship:
Julia Apsel, North Hunterdon: Apsel was 2-for-4. She tripled in the fifth and singled and scored in North Hunterdon’s four-run fourth inning.
Jessica Nolan, North Hunterdon: Nolan laid down the squeeze bunt in the 10th inning that scored Cate Sand from third with what turned out to be the winning run. She also singled and scored a run in the third.
Taylor Hucke, North Hunterdon: Hucke was 2-for-4 with an RBI single and run scored in North Hunterdon’s four-run fourth.
Jensen Macaulay, North Hunterdon: The junior center fielder’s throw home cut down the potential winning run at the plate in the bottom of the seventh, buying three more innings for North Hunterdon to win the title.
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Source: Lion Athletic News No. 11 North Hunterdon downs No. 9 Vineland in 10 innings for Group 4 title No. 11 North Hunterdon downs No. 9 Vineland in 10 innings for Group 4 title
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Source: Lion Athletic News WATCH: 3 key plays in North Hunterdon’s 10-inning group 4 victory over Vineland WATCH: 3 key plays in North Hunterdon’s 10-inning group 4 victory over Vineland
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Source: Lion Athletic News Full coverage of North Hunterdon vs. Vineland in Group 4 final Full coverage of North Hunterdon vs. Vineland in Group 4 final
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Source: Lion Athletic News PHOTOS: North Hunterdon vs. Vineland in Group 4 softball final PHOTOS: North Hunterdon vs. Vineland in Group 4 softball final
SOFTBALL: North Hunterdon holds off Vineland in 10 innings to claim state Group IV championship
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Source: Lion Athletic News Stars of the Game: North Hunterdon beats Vineland in 10-inning state Group 4 softball final Stars of the Game: North Hunterdon beats Vineland in 10-inning state Group 4 softball final
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Source: Lion Athletic News North Hunterdon softball wins Group 4 title in 10 innings North Hunterdon softball wins Group 4 title in 10 innings
