On a warm night in May, the Pirates softball team played under the lights at Wood Park in Cinnaminson against the Delran Bears for the regular season finale. The Pirates also honored their two seniors, Shannon Profy and Delani Pecchioli, prior to the game. It took extra innings, 9 total, for Delran to come away with a 7-6 victory.
“They’ve (seniors) been a big part of our program,” head coach Tracy Bart said. “They are leaders on and off the field. Delani has been a starter for three years and Shannon has been a starter for four years. They are going to be hard to replace. Their presence, maturity, how they act, they are great role models for the other girls. They are total team players. They will do whatever I ask them to do. You can’t ask for anything else out of them.”
Cinnaminson took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Brooke Figiel hit an RBI double to center field. The lead would not last long as Delran would plate four runs in the top of the second on three hits.
The Pirates fell behind by a score of 6-1 in the top of the fifth as the Bears scored two runs with two outs on a single into right field.
Cinnaminson plated two runs in the bottom of the fifth in a game that looked like it was destined to go to extra innings. Those two runs came home on a two-run double from Morgan Hawk.
Then, in the bottom of the sixth, the Pirates scored three runs to tie the game. Cinnaminson pulled to within two at 6-4 on a bases loaded walk. Then, on senior night, Profy ripped a two-run game-tying single.
The score would remain 6-6 until the top of the ninth inning, when Delran plated the go-ahead, and eventual game-winning run on an RBI single to right field with two outs.
Profy got the start on the mound, but did not factor in the decision. She was relieved by Rebecca Proctor, who took the loss, allowing just the one run in the ninth inning.
“She (Proctor) and a couple of our other pitchers, are going to be a big part of our future,” coach Bart said. “Seeing her throw tonight, she is headed for a great career as well, following in Shannon’s footsteps. We are expecting good things to come from her.”
The Pirates have a quick turnaround, playing their second-round game in the NJSIAA Central, Group 2 Tournament at Governor Livingston Wednesday afternoon at 4pm.
“We had some nice line-drive hits tonight, but right at people. We need to continue to hit the ball hard and play solid ‘D’ tomorrow,” coach Bart said.
