Sandy Baranowski’s legendary career as Bridgewater-Raritan High School’s head softball coach came to an end on Wednesday, June 4
After 28 years and four different decades in charge, it was therefore only fitting that her team went out with a fight against the reigning Group 4 state champion Watchung Hills Regional High School deep in the state sectional tournament.
The final scoreboard did not reflect the extraordinary performance of the Panthers under their retiring leader, who has served as a health and physical education teacher at Bridgewater-Raritan High School since 1993.
After advancing to the state sectional semifinals for the first time in eight years, fourth-seeded Bridgewater-Raritan (15-8) found itself in a scoreless draw with two outs in the bottom of the third inning at top-seeded Watchung Hills (21-6), ranked No. 12 in New Jersey. While the Panther outfield collected six of the game’s eight outs up to that moment, Watchung Hills capitalized on a pair of miscues by Bridgewater-Raritan to break through for two runs and take the lead for good.
To cap off her victory on the circle on a day when she collected career strikeout No. 400, junior pitcher Riley Bobrowski fired a no-hitter with 12 strikeouts and five walks for Watchung Hills, which pulled away for a 10-0 victory in six innings to eliminate Bridgewater-Raritan in theNJSIAA North New Jersey, Section 2, Group 4, state sectional semifinals on June 4 in Warren.
“It was a tremendous season,” reflected Coach Baranowski after the team’s defeat and her final game as head coach. “I love coaching these girls because they are just super fun. Sometimes, the better team wins.”
“Today, that’s what it was.”
Watchung Hills players and coaching staff surrounded the retiring Baranowski with applause and praise during post-game handshakes. As the Panthers were also about to depart the field for their team bus, a member of the Watchung Hills team delivered Coach Baranowski what appeared to be the game ball as a token of appreciation for the everlasting impact she had as Bridgewater-Raritan’s leader.
“This team is probably going to the state finals,” praised Coach Baranowski of Watchung Hills.
With its defeat, Bridgewater-Raritan (15-8) completed its final season under the leadership of Baranowski with its best record and deepest state tournament run since 2017, when the Panthers last won the Somerset County Softball Tournament and reached the state sectional finals.
Coach Baranowski will end her run as the Bridgewater-Raritan skipper with 365 victories, which is tied for second in Somerset County softball history with former Bound Brook High School head coach Steve Kania.
Many Bridgewater-Raritan supporters surrounded all ends of the Watchung Hills field during the postgame while Baranowski was huddled around her team just behind first base in right field.
While she made her impact as the softball coach, Coach Baranowski coached junior varsity field hockey (1993-94), junior varsity boys’ volleyball (1993-97) and junior varsity girls’ basketball (1993-97). She also served as the Advisor to the Fuel Up To Play 60 club at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.
“I’m at ease with my decision,” revealed Coach Baranowski, who, in her upcoming retirement, will always be remembered by those within and beyond the Bridgewater-Raritan High School community for her unmatchable passion, work ethic, and enthusiasm.
So, how did she soak in everything when she left that softball field for the final time on June 4?
“Indescribable,” Coach Baranowski concluded.