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WILMINGTON: Jersey Bandits unites for win at Pony Nationals

By Jen Samuel, Managing Editor
   WILMINGTON — Eleven girls of the Jersey Bandits softball team traveled to Delaware last week to play in the 10U Pony Nationals tournament.
   The chance to participate came after an undefeated run at the New Jersey Pride Qualifier this summer.
   The Jersey Bandits, a fast pitch softball team out of Bordentown, is comprised of mostly 10-year-old players.
   The team is lead by Head Coach John Ryan, of Bordentown, and assistant coaches John Paul, of Chesterfield, Dan Marino, of Bordentown, Lou Luyber, of Bordentown, and Ashleigh Johnson of Bordentown.
   The Pony Nationals tournament began on July 11 and the girls played against tough competitors through July 14.
   The girls tied one game and lost two others during pull play games ahead of eliminations, which began on July 13.
   The Jersey Bandits lost back to back elimination games against the Cheshire Wildcats, from Connecticut, and the South Jersey Gators, from Voorhees, that Friday.
   However, the girls came back strong the next day, July 14, claiming a 9-1 victory over the Banshee’s Fastpitch 10U team out of Horsham, Pennsylvania.
   ”They really played really good in the first game this morning,” said family member Dana DeMeo, a seventh-grader, of Hamilton.
   As light rain poured from the sky on the softball field, the girls were ready to face off once more against the Cheshire Wildcats.
   After giving up a few runs, the girls came back from a 3-1 score to first tie the game 3-3. The Bandits then took the lead 5-3.
   Mitch Einstein, the father of Samantha Einstein — a pitcher and player No. 27, said he was very proud of the players.
   ”They’re doing a great job,” Mr. Einstein said. “We’re a little fish in a big pond here and we’re hanging in there.”
   He noted, “They battled all day.”
   However, the Wildcats came back at the bottom of the fifth inning, tying the elimination game 5-5.
   Loved ones of the Jersey Bandits cheered the players on as the top of the sixth began.
   ”I’m proud of her,” said Julia Peter, who was in Delaware to support her sister Jessica Peter. Julia will be entering her freshman year at Northern Burlington County Regional High School this fall. She noted that watching the close game against the Wildcats was “nerve wracking.”
   Despite the Bandits efforts, the Wildcats were able to score once more, ending the game 6-1 and sending the Jersey Bandits home.
   Still, with the girls coming back strong with confidence last Saturday after the team’s July 13 losses, there was much to celebrate among softball team’s supporters.
   Parent Seth Korch called the event a “great experience.”
   ”Yesterday wasn’t our day,” Mr. Korch said. “Today was. They played hard.”
   Head Coach Ryan thanked the parents for bringing their daughters to participate in the Pony Nationals after the last game.
   ”Do you guys feel all your confidence and all your talent?” Coach Ryan asked.
   ”That was incredible,” he said of the Bandits’ last game in which the players fought back with heart.
   ”What you guys did today — unbelievable. We’re very, very proud of you,” Coach Ryan said.
   ”You played the best softball I’ve ever seen,” said Mr. Paul, of Chesterfield, an assistant coach.
   ”I’ll coach you girls any day,” said Mr. Marino, of Bordentown, who is also an assistant coach. “You proved today that the Bandits don’t give up.”
   Coach Ryan noted, “Five teams went home before we did.” Sixteen softball 10U teams participated in the tournament.