Group 1. Burlington City was the only top-seeded team to win a public school sectional title in South Jersey. The Blue Devils (19-0) will face Bound Brook (21-5) in a semifinal at South Plainfield.
Burlington's offense has been clutch, riding two seven-inning rallies to advance. Senior shortstop Charissa Bohnberger has driven in a team-high 21 runs, and seniors Lauren Jones (third base) and Lisa Fronczkiewicz (catcher) are each hitting barely under .500.
Sophomore Erin Skinner has parlayed her impeccable control (four walks) into an 11-0 mark.
Bound Brook will rely on the right arm of Rachel Coddington. The sophomore isn't overpowering, but the workhorse pitcher has pinpoint control, which has helped her record all of the Crusaders' 21 wins.
Group 2. Last year, no team was more dominant down the stretch than Kingsway, and the team appears to be getting back to its postseason form.
The Dragons (22-5) will face Hamilton West (20-2) at Delaware Valley.
Marsha Kelley, one of the state's top players, is hitting better than .450 with seven homers, and Tosha Seher is one of the Tri-County Conference's best table-setters with an on-base percentage of more than .500.
Junior righthander Wendi Miller has surrendered only six runs in four playoff games for the Dragons.
Hamilton West, which captured its first Central Jersey banner, can do some major damage with the aluminum as well.
The Hornets have the top three run-producers in Mercer County with Jen Voorhees (21 RBIs), Kristen Cicale (21) and Danielle King (19). King, a senior second baseman, has a great blend of speed and power that has resulted in a team-high seven triples and two homers.
Senior righthander Jeannine Matuza is 17-2 for Hamilton West.
Group 3. On the strength of solid pitching and great defense, Clearview rose from the fourth seed to win its third sectional title in the last six seasons.
The Pioneers (14-5) will play Manasquan (23-2) at Florence.
