The Capital Area Cyclones went down to the Babe Ruth 10U World Series with a laundry list of accomplishments.
The local all-star softball squad was 28-1 on the season before heading down to Florida where the best of the best from all over the country would battle it out to decide the most elite squad in America.
The Cyclones were the New Hampshire state champion, as well as the New England regional title holder. They even qualified for the World Series not once, but twice.
And during the six-day tournament, the Cyclones went 3-4, earned runner-up in the Diamond Division bracket and took home the tournament’s sportsmanship award.
Not a bad week in the Florida sunshine.
Things didn’t start off so well for the local nine in pool play as they were shut out by the East Side All-Stars, who made it all the way to the World Series bracket championship game.
But the Cyclones bounced back with a 9-1 victory over the Ridley All-Stars before dropping a heartbreaker, 4-3, to the Pierre Part All-Stars.
After going 1-2 in pool play, the Cyclones were the 11th seed out of 17 teams in the World Series bracket, which would determine the national champion.
The Sparta Blue Diamonds proved to be too much for the Cyclones in the opening round in a 10-4 loss.
But the local girls quickly bounced back, defeating the Tri-Country All-Stars 13-3 and St. Charles Parish All Stars 8-2 to reach the Diamond Division title contest.
But the Cyclones were unable to capture the consolation title, losing another heartbreaker, 5-4 to the WVAC All Stars on Friday.
Before heading back to New Hampshire, the girls were honored with the 10U sportsmanship award to cap off what has been one impressive season.
Capital Area softball is made up of nine leagues, with six of them represented on the team of Lily Hackett, Mia Wagner, Madi Cunha, Delaney Duford, Sarah Taylor, Maddie Kelley, Steph Elrick, Sophia Vargas, Maddy Wachter, Katie Blinn, Avery MacDonald and Finnley Pratt.
Eight of the 12 team members qualified for the 8U World Series two years ago, although that team did not make the trip.
The goal was to qualify this year, and go. Good thing they did, because it was one great ride.
Congratulations, girls!
