Wilmington Softball Loses Beneficial Blowout

Audrey Cabral-Pini was extremely upbeat for someone whose team had just lost a blowout game. That's because for the Wilmington softball coach and many others watching at Town Park, it just didn't feel like a blowout.

Wilmington played well and hung with defending state runner up Burlington for much of the game before eventually falling, 10-0.

"I would take a 10-0 loss if we're playing like that compared to how we've been playing," said Cabral-Pini. "We're getting there. I just wish we were playing this way three weeks ago."

It was a 3-0 score halfway through the contest, and Burlington led just 4-0 entering the fifth inning. But the Red Devils tacked on a pair of runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth to put the game out of reach.

Despite the blowout, Wilmington made a long list of stellar defensive plays during the game. Emily Crannell made a highlight reel diving stop at shortstop that included a strong throw to first base for the out, and the Wildcats also cut down a runner at home plate.

Wilmington dropped to 3-5 on the year, 1-3 in Middlesex League play, following the setback.

"I think we'll continue moving in a positive direction," said Cabral-Pini. "Hopefully we use this as a stepping stone to play well. With the amount of games you play in softball, you don't have much time to think about it and recover, you just get right back on the field."