IMAGES: Morris Hills Upsets Montville to Advance to N1G3 Softball Championship

Lyla Zusi hit a two-RBI single in the fifth inning, and Leah Scalzo only gave up one run from there to lead eighth-seeded Morris Hills to a 2-1 victory over fifth-seeded Montville in the semifinals of the 2026 NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 Softball Tournament.

Alexa Francia was the only Scarlet Knight with multiple hits for the game.  She went 2-3 with a run scored for Morris Hills.  Mikayla Guerra and Jordyn Zeek also recorded hits for the Knights, and Marissa Gates scored Morris Hills’ other run.

Scalzo went the distance in the circle for the Scarlet Knights, giving up only the one run, which was unearned, while scattering three hits and striking out five.

Montville hit the ball hard and had multiple opportunities to score runs, however, baserunning miscues and well hit balls that ultimately found the mitts of Morris Knolls defenders kept the limited the amount of runs the Mustangs scored.

With the win, Morris Knolls advances to the 2026 NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 Softball Championship on Thursday, where they will take on second-seeded Roxbury.  Montville sees their season come to a close with the loss.  The Mustangs finish their 2026 campaign with an 18-7 record.