For a second straight season, the Pirates softball team advanced to the second round of the Central, Group 2 Tournament after defeating Spotswood 7-2 in the opening round.
The Pirates were a young squad in 2015, boasting just two seniors, Shannon Profy and Delani Pecchioli. Both girls played a major role in the team’s success this year, while also helping the younger girls adapt to the varsity level.
Finishing with an 11-12 record and an appearance in a second round playoff game, the Pirates have put themselves into a good spot for the future.
“We work on the fundamentals every single day; making the routine plays,” head coach Tracy Bart said. “A big part of game is eliminating errors and coming up with big hits when you need them. Our goal is to get a second round playoff win.”
Cinnaminson opened the season 0-2 with losses to Northern Burlington (17-9) and Bordentown (17-5), but quickly evened that record with convincing wins over Pemberton Township and Woodbury by scoring 27 total runs in those two games.
Prior to the state tournament, the Pirates went on a 5-0 run that included a 1-0 victory over Maple Shade (18-7) and two other shutouts (Pennsauken and Pemberton Township).
“The biggest thing we struggled with this year was quality of pitcher we saw,” Bart said. “After our experiences this year, we know we need to do a better job of hitting. When the girls play summer ball, they need to make sure they see quality pitching.”
The last game before the playoffs came against New Egypt (21-6), in which the Pirates fell 13-1. Bart said New Egypt was the Pirates toughest regular season opponent.
“They won their section this year and are still playing (eliminated June 3).”
The first round of the playoffs saw Cinnaminson travel to Spotswood (16-3) for a second straight year. The outcome was the same as last year; a win for the Pirates, 7-2. Profy struck out nine batters en route to her 10th win of the season.
Bart picked this game as the team’s most impressive win of the season.
“Our playoff win against Spotswood, 7-2, the day after prom. We came up with base hits with runners in scoring position. Shannon Profy had 9 strikeouts.”
In-between the first and second rounds, the Pirates hosted Delran on Senior Night at Wood Park. The game went extras, with Delran pulling out a 7-6 win in nine innings.
The Pirates second round playoff game came on the road against Gov. Livingston (22-5). Cinnaminson fell by a score of 6-0 to end the season.
As you can see by some of their opponent’s records, the Pirates did not play an easy schedule.
“We were very competitive. We had some ups and downs,” Bart said. “The games we did lose we lost by one, two, or three runs. We were competitive in almost every single game. Shannon and Delani did a great job with the younger kids. I have 7 of 9 starters returning next year so I am excited to see what next season brings.”
