Hackensack hasn't had much luck against Northern Highlands recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Comets will venture away from home to challenge the Highlanders at 4:15 p.m. Hackensack is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 8.6 runs per game this season.
Hackensack will roll into the matchup after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up one run on Monday, then bounced right back against North Bergen on Wednesday. The Comets were the clear victors by a 13-3 margin over the Bruins. The result was nothing new for the Comets, who have now won seven contests by six runs or more so far this season.
Nina Oates was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she tossed five innings while giving up three earned runs off six hits. Oates was also big at the plate, earning one RBI and two runs. That's the most runs she has posted over her last nine games.
Briana Darling
| 04/22/26 vs North Bergen | 2 |
| 04/20/26 @ Cliffside Park | 1 |
| 04/16/26 vs Paramus | 2 |
| 04/15/26 vs Dwight Morrow | 3 |
| 04/13/26 @ Tenafly | 5 |
| + 17 more games |
In other batting news, Hackensack got a massive performance out of Briana Darling, who got on base in all four of her plate appearances with two stolen bases, three runs, and one double. Darling has been hot for a while, having posted at least one stolen base the last 22 times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Hailey DeFalco, who went 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs, and two doubles.
West Milford hit Northern Highlands with a four-run sixth inning on Wednesday, which goes a long way in explaining the final result. Northern Highlands fell 8-4 to West Milford.
Julianne Warzala and Emme Kossar did some serious damage despite the final result: Warzala went 2-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI, while Kossar went 2-for-3 with two RBI.
Northern Highlands' loss dropped their record down to 3-12. As for Hackensack, their record now sits at 7-9-1.
Northern Highlands' pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Hackensack hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .432. It's a different story for Northern Highlands, though, as they've only averaged .218. Will they be able to contain Hackensack's hitters?
Hackensack got the 'W' when the teams last played on April 6th against Northern Highlands by a conclusive 19-11 score. The rematch might be a little tougher for the Comets since the squad won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
