Donovan Catholic Outlasts Barnegat Behind Kopp, Hixenbaugh
TOMS RIVER — Manufacturing runs and capitalizing on scoring opportunities can often be the difference between winning and losing in the postseason. Donovan Catholic did just that on Saturday, defeating Barnegat 3-1 to advance to the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals despite recording only three hits.
The Griffins relied on small ball throughout much of the game before delivering the decisive blow in the bottom of the sixth inning. Senior Caroline Kopp launched a two-out, two-run home run to left field to break a 1-1 tie and give Donovan Catholic a 3-1 advantage.
Caroline Kopp hit a walk off single for Donovan against Robbinsville in the Shore vs CVC Challenge at Adventure Crossing. 4/18/26 Photo by Samantha Mayer
“My at-bat before that, I looked at that same pitch that was a strikeout pitch,” Kopp said. “I knew once I saw that pitch I had to swing, so I saw it and just took it.”
Senior Madison Kelliher sparked the inning with a bunt single to first base before being forced out at second when sophomore Julianna Vignets attempted to move her over with another bunt. Barnegat junior pitcher Gianna Gomez nearly escaped the inning after inducing a flyout from senior Isabella Maria for the second out, but Kopp delivered the game’s biggest hit, scoring sophomore pinch runner Sofi Zydzik and herself.
Madison Kelliher started the 6th inning rally with a bunt against Barnegat in the SCT Quarterfinal round. 5/16/26 Photo by Samantha Mayer
“Coach Schwartz talks about it all the time,” Kopp said. “Small ball will win games. Maddie [Kelliher] did a great job creating chaos by getting that bunt down and I think that is what really took this game was that bunt.”
Gomez was outstanding in the circle for Barnegat, allowing no walks while striking out 10 batters to raise her season total to 292 strikeouts. She did not allow a base runner until the fourth inning, when Maria dropped a shallow fly ball into center field. Senior Brianna Dato, playing deep in center, was unable to make the play cleanly.
Gianna Gomez struck out 13 batters in the second-round of the OCT against Pinelands. 4/18/26 Photo by Samantha Mayer
Maria later tied the game at 1-1 by stealing second and then third base. A throwing error on the steal of third allowed the ball to roll into left field, enabling Maria to score.
“That is what you have to do against a great pitcher,” Donovan Catholic head coach Debbie Schwartz said. “Gianna pitched a hell of a game. We were patient and made adjustments throughout the entire game. Finally, Caroline hit the home run and made a huge adjustment to put it over the fence. It was a great game today and we had to make things happen.”
Barnegat opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning when sophomore Brooke Rizzo blasted a 2-1 pitch to straightaway center field for a solo home run. The Bengals managed just one base runner the rest of the way.
Barnegat celebrating Brooke Rizzo’s home run against Donovan in the SCT Semifinal. 5/16/26 Photo by Samantha Mayer
Donovan Catholic’s pitching tandem of Kopp and Gylian Hixenbaugh once again proved to be a major advantage. Kopp threw the first four innings, allowing no walks while striking out seven batters. Hixenbaugh closed out the final three innings, matching Kopp’s seven strikeouts without surrendering a hit.
Gylian Hixenbaugh struck out three batters to earn the save in the South Jersey Non-Public A Semifinal. Photo by Tom Smith
“It is helpful having two pitchers,” Kopp said. “If I am having a bad day, I know she can pick me up and vice versa, I can pick her up. We talk about pitching and it is nice to have someone who is there with me. It is not like I am by myself or she is by herself. It is great to have each other’s back.”
The Griffins have not hesitated to utilize multiple pitchers over the past several seasons. Last season, Donovan Catholic had three pitchers throw more than 30 innings, while four pitchers logged at least 20 innings the year before.
Donovan players talking before they come to bat against Barnegat in the SCT Quarterfinal Round. 5/16/26 photo by Samantha Mayer
“Caroline and Hix [Hixenbaugh] have gotten the majority of the innings, but we have Murphy [Kourtney] too,” Schwartz said. “We have been mixing it up all season. They are all different style pitchers, so it gives a team a different look. We did that today and it played to our advantage.”
Donovan Catholic will host third-seeded Marlboro on Monday in the SCT semifinals. Last season, the Mustangs eliminated the Griffins from the tournament with a 9-7 quarterfinal victory.
“We remember,” Schwartz said of last season’s loss to Marlboro. “The good thing is we saw them [Marlboro] already this season. We know what we are coming into. This time of the year, you do what you have to do to score runs. Whether that is being aggressive on the base paths, whether it is bunt, timely hitting, making adjustments at the plate is all huge.”
