By: Rich Fisher
And so, it came to end on a beautiful Sunday evening along the Delaware River.
But when it’s all said and done, it should still be considered a happy ending for the Cranbury-Plainsboro 12-year-old All-Star softball team.
C-P was able to beat everybody in District 12 this year except for one team – West Windsor. Aside from losing to their neighbors, C-P became the first team of any age, in either softball or baseball, to reach the final two in a District 12 Tournament.
That came to pass on Saturday night when the locals took a 3-2, eight-inning victory over Washington Township.
The most impressive facet of the win is the way Cranbury-Plainsboro dug deep to pull it out. Coming off a disappointing 9-3 loss to West Windsor on Friday night, C-P trailed 2-0 heading into the top of the fifth against Washington’s top hurler. It seemed as good as time as any to shrug the shoulders and give a collective "hey, we did the best we could, so be it."
But it didn’t work that way.
"In the first few innings we were not playing our best because we were still bummed about the last game," said pitcher Amy Allen, who tossed a five-hitter against Washington. "We were all still a little down, we just had to pick it back up."
"Our coaches did a good job of getting us back up," said Deanna Boehm.
"The first three innings they were very lethargic, they weren’t into it," manager Fred Leske said. "I said ‘Guys we have two more innings, we have to get two runs.’ "
And so they did as Melissa Fryer singled and Melissa Hekl and Amanda Allen both walked. One out later, Amy Allen forced Fryer at home. But Sarah DiLella reached on a misjudged pop-up and Christine Natoli delivered a huge RBI single to tie the game.
With Allen continuing to mow down Washington, C-P took advantage of another break in the eighth inning when Boehm reached on an error after the first baseman dropped the ball.
"I thought I was going to be out," Boehm said. "I was happy she dropped it, but with two outs it was kind of hard to think we were going to win."
Those thoughts became a little more optimistic when Fryer delivered a double that tipped off the second baseman’s glove. Boehm ended up scoring the winning run on a wild pitch.
"Melissa Fryer had a bit hit to get on," Leske said. "I told Deanna if the ball gets away, she’s going to be going. The ball got away, Amy finished pitching a great game and we won They all played well, and so did Washington. It was the best game of the tournament."
The C-P tourney run was halted when West Windsor took a 5-2 victory Sunday despite doubles by DiLella and Boehm. But the bottom line was, this veteran group proved to the district that Cranbury-Plainsboro has reached the point where it is a league to be reckoned with. Even in defeat, it played West Windsor tougher than other teams.
"We’re just happy we made it even this far because this is our first year ever getting any where near this far," Amy Allen said. "We’re proud of whatever we do."
"This was huge for the Cranbury-Plainsboro softball program to know we have come this far," Leske said. "It’s huge. I’m glad to be there, it’s really good. I’m glad for what our girls did."
Basically, they did what no others before them could do.
