IMAGES: Steinert Makes History With Fourth Consecutive Softball State Championship

No. 4 Steinert topped North Hunterdon 6-2 in the 2026 NJSIAA Group 3 Softball State Championship game to make history, becoming the first public softball program to win four state championships in a row.

Five Spartans recorded hits, with Victoria Poppert and Bianca Walsh leading the way.  Poppert and Walsh each had a hit and combined for five RBIs, with Poppert belting a home run for Steinert.  Aleiya O’Neal, Mia Pope, and Danica Spak also recorded hits for the Spartans, with Pope’s hit going for extra bases.

Ellie Miller started in the circle for Steinert.  She went all seven innings, giving up two runs on four hits while walking two and striking out four.

Laine Molchan and Ella Walck led the Lions offense.  Molchan was 2-3 at the plate with a triple, a home run, an RBI, and a run scored, while Walck went 1-3 at the dish with a home run, an RBI, and a run scored.  Nadia Harris also had a hit for North Hunterdon.

Layla Francisco started in the circle and pitched a complete game for the Lions.  She surrendered six runs, five earned, on five hits while walking one and striking out one.

With the win, Steinert finishes their season 25-4, while North Hunterdon finishes their campaign with an 18-10 record.