Bordentown’s run ends with loss to Haddon Heights

BORDENTOWN » Arguably the greatest season in Bordentown softball history had all the makings of a state championship, but unfortunately for the Scotties, the dream ended Wednesday against the type of force that often crushes dreams at this time of the spring. An unstoppable pitcher. Hard-throwing freshman phenom Sophia Bordi simply did not give in as Haddon Heights (21-4) found a way to upset Bordentown (24-2) in eight innings, 3-0, in the Group II semifinals and reach the state title game.

Bordentown junior Allison Hoppe matched Bordi zero for zero through seven innings, compiling 14 strikeouts and yielded only three hits. But her counterpart and the Haddon Heights defense simply outlasted the Scotties.

Bordi, who is already being recruited by Power Five conference schools, showed why she’s one of the top freshmen in the country by racking up 19 strikeouts. She fanned eight in a row to start the game, gave up just two singles and allowed only one ball to reach the outfield.

Bordentown’s best opportunity came with a chance to walk it off in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Erin Hoppe reached on a throwing error by the shortstop, Allison Hoppe was intentionally walked and Kaci Benton nearly beat out a sac bunt down the third-base line which moved runners to second and third.

Bordi got out of the jam with a popup, setting up the decisive eighth inning.

Bordentown intentionally walked Bordi with one out, and then Maddy Clark laced a single to right field to put runners on second and third as Bordentown tried to gun out Bordi advancing to third.

Opting to load the bases with another intentionally walked, the Scotties got what they wanted by inducing a groundball to third base. But two throwing errors ensued as the home team tried to force an out at home, allowing Haddon Heights to clear the bases with three runs.

Bordi retired Bordentown in order in the bottom of the eighth to end a season that saw Bordentown previously only lose once in 25 games to undefeated Donovan Catholic.

Haddon Heights (21-4) 000 000 03 — 3 3 2 Bordentown (24-2) 000 000 00 — 0 2 3