The plan for Bordentown High’s softball team was to have twin sisters Allison and Erin Hoppe lead the way this year.
That intention was thwarted when Allison suffered a season-ending injury just prior to opening day, leaving the Scotties without a pitcher and solid hitter.
But the other half of that tandem has more than held her own, as Erin was leading the 10-8 Scotties in hitting (.405), hits (20), and runs (16, tied with Cadence Klemic and doubles (4, tied with Kaci Benton). She also had a home run and 10 RBIs, as her consistency continues to amaze.
After missing her freshman season due to Covid-19, Hoppe hit .348 with 23 hits, two home runs and 12 RBIs as a sophomore and .357 with 25 hits, two home runs and 11 RBIs last season.
“She’s very consistent,” said Scotties coach Nicole O’Leary, who got her 100th win May 17 when Bordentown beat Florence. “She is one of the most hard working players in practice. When everyone else is kind of taking it easy, she’s still going 110 percent. She’s always committed to bettering herself which is what I think makes her that consistent player. She’s always working toward what she can do better.”
In her mind, the secret to Erin’s steadiness is simplicity.
“I just go out there and try to hit whatever pitches are being thrown,” she said. “Just make solid contact.”
And as for her improved average this year, Hoppe said, “I definitely changed my approach. I’m a lot more confident at the plate, and I’ve been trying to let the ball travel, so that’s helped.”
Another factor is extra work.
“She takes on more practice on her own after our practices,” O’Leary said. “She’s someone who makes hard contact. She’s also put down a few bunts for us, so she’s very versatile and she makes the adjustments.”
Not to be forgotten is Hoppe’s defense. The slick fielding second baseman had been in on seven double plays through 22 games.
“Erin’s fielding is definitely top notch; it is flawless,” O’Leary said. “When you watch her field a ball it’s so easy and so fluent, it’s really great to see. She definitely has taken a real stance defensively for our team. She always knows what’s going on and is making those plays.”
Again, it comes down to extra work.
“I just focus on getting a lot of reps and throwing at different angles,” Hoppe said. “My dad (Michael) hits me balls all the time. My family is a softball family.”
So true. Aside from the twins, sophomore Katelin Hoppe has replaced Allison in the circle as the Scotties main pitcher. She had a 3.11 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 63 innings. Freshman Lia Flynn has also had several starts.
“She’s killing it out there,” Erin said with pride in her younger sister.
But it has taken time. After going 24-2 and winning Central Jersey Group II, Bordentown had high hopes with Allison Hoppe returning. As a junior she went 23-2 with a 0.62 ERA and 261 strikeouts in 159 innings.
Without their ace, the Scotties started 3-6, but then won seven of their next nine with one game left in the regular season. Erin Hoppe helped spark the turnaround with more than just her bat.
“It was definitely an adjustment,” O’Leary said. “You could see it in our games those first few weeks. We were struggling a little bit to make the adjustment and knowing our team would look a little different. We went from a senior pitcher who came out last season lights out; to a sophomore and sometimes a freshman who thought they weren’t going to play and knew they had to step up this season.
“Erin has just taken that leadership role. She has taken them under her wing and talked them through this season and kept them on track and progressing and building to hopefully a good end of our season.”
As much as the entire team misses Allison, it’s especially tough on Erin. It is her first time playing without her sister. They started in Bordentown T-ball, moved to the B-town/Jersey Bombers, and recently joined TNT in Pennsylvania.
“Definitely in the seasons prior they always were pushing each other, and Allison is still here every day working just as much mentally as she can with the girls,” O’Leary said. “I think it helps them to feed off one another and keep pushing themselves harder. They’ve been able to do that as they’ve grown.
“They’ve played together literally their whole lives, so just having Allison here and supporting her and talking to her helps. They talk about every game in practice, it still has the morale intact and the mental aspect of the game. I’m sure she’s missing being out on the field, and it’s good to see not only Erin but a younger sister step in.”
Erin has high praise for how her sister has made an impact without playing.
“She’s been cheering us on all the way, and we’re lucky to have her in the dugout,” Hoppe said. “Other girls have been working hard and stepping up, and she’s been able to help out. She’ll try to figure out what the other team is doing and help us out with tips. Not just me, but everybody. When we’re up at bat, she’s telling us inside, outside. Helping any way she can.”
Of course, she has a little more to say to Erin when they’re alone.
“We’re definitely close,” she said with a smile. “She holds me accountable.”
The sisters will go their separate ways next year, as Allison will pitch at Drexel, while Erin is headed to Fordham. The second baseman takes satisfaction that she and her teammates were able to give O’Leary her 100th win before graduating.
“We were happy to get the win for her. It was awesome,” Hoppe said. “I’ve been with her for four years, starting freshman year online and just playing for her the next three years. It’s been great.”
Hoppe is now ready to show what she can do on the Division I stage. She was recruited by several D-I schools, but went to Fordham’s camp and “fell in love” with the coaches and the program.
After researching the esteemed academic program, it seemed like the perfect fit. Especially since Hoppe has a 4.2 weighted GPA and 4.0 unweighted. She is also on the student council, and is class secretary.
She plans to major in Biological Sciences and minor in pre-health, with an aim of being a pediatric dentist.
“I love working with kids,” she said. “I used to want to be a special-ed teacher but when I had braces, I did a project on orthodontists and became interested in dentistry. Now I get to work with kids who have special needs, and I can help them in different ways.”
Not to mention, she can still do what she loves out of the classroom.
“I’ve always wanted to play softball in college,” she said. “I’m very excited.”
And O’Leary is excited for her.
“She loves the sport, she loves being out here,” the coach said. “She loves to be that competitive player.”
And that desire has led to an extremely consistent performer who has done her best to make up for her other half’s absence.