By Mary Ann Tarr
Burlington County College participated in the “World Series for Junior College Softball,” and freshman outfielder Emilia Paciotti of Bordentown was part of the reason.
For the first time in Burlington County College’s women’s softball history, the team advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Softball National Championship. The Lady Barons won the NJCAA Region XIX Division II Women’s Softball Tournament to earn a spot in the championship in Clinton, Miss., May 14-18.
Seeded No. 15 in the 16-team national tournament, BCC (38-17) fell to eventual second-place finisher Phoenix and then was eliminated from the tournament by a setback to Sauk Valley of Dixon, Ill.
The Lady Barons also entered the regional competition with a low seed but battled to take home the XIX tournament title.
“We came into the tournament at the bottom seed and defeated three talented teams,” said BCC women’s softball head coach Kirk Peterson.
The Lady Barons defeated No. 1 seed, Del Tech Owens, 5-0, and lost to third-seeded Mercer County Community College, 4-5. Then they defeated No. 2 seed, County College of Morris, 10-4. They also made a comeback against MCCC that day by defeating the Vikings in two games, 3-2 and 6-0, to win the regional crown and advance to the national tournament.
Paciotti, a Bordentown Regional High School alumna, was noted for her score-saving defensive stops throughout the tournament.
“The complete team effort enabled the Lady Barons to become Regional Champions,” Peterson said.
Bree Hudik receives all-conference recognition
Richard Stockton College sophomore Bree Hudik of Bordentown earned an Honorable Mention nod in women’s track & field for her performance at the 2013 Outdoor Track & Field New Jersey Athletic Conference Championships.
Hudik collected her first all-conference honor and helped Stockton finish fourth out of nine teams. She placed third in the discus with a throw of 35.43 meters at the NJAC meet. The toss was her second longest in nine meets this season and second best in her career.
Hudik also finished fourth in the hammer throw at the NJAC championships, firing a 39.42-meter throw, and competed in the shot put for the sixth time in eight meets this season that she has competed in all three events. The Bordentown High graduate also was named Osprey of the Week for her efforts at the NJAC meet.
Russell Hill making noise on the golf course at Ursinus
Russell Hill of Bordentown had a super sophomore season with the golf program at Ursinus College.
Hill shot a 1 under par 71 on a very difficult Mountain Laurel to win his first collegiate tournament. He led the Bears to third place at 307, and missed first by just three strokes.
Two weeks later, he continued his winning ways. Hill claimed the top prize again at Lehigh Country Club as he cruised around the long and difficult Flynn design in 3 over par.
Other successful outings for the Bordentown High alumnus include a second-place finish at the three-day Centennial Conference championships. Hill shot rounds of 79, 72 and 76 to finish in second place in the seven-team event.
Have an item for The College Crowd? Send it to Mary Ann Tarr at tarr.mary.ann@gmail.com.
Burlington County College participated in the “World Series for Junior College Softball,
