Some of this year's best Cape-Atlantic League softball players will play for Tri-Cape in the annual Carpenter Cup Classic beginning today in Philadelphia.
Eight members of the team come from the CAL and eight from Tri-County Conference high schools. Serving as co-coaches will be Pam Pickett of Buena Regional High School and Fred Powell of Williamstown.
The double-elimination tournament is for players who were sophomores and juniors during the recent school year.
Tri-Cape's first game is at 9 a.m. against Suburban One-Bicentennial at FDR Park.
CAL players include Danielle Lugo and Lindsay Dwyer of Sacred Heart, the state Non-Public B champion, Ashley Surran of Buena Regional, Selena Santiago of Egg Harbor Township, Kylie Finley of Vineland, Jackie DeLong of Wildwood Catholic, Brigette Alessandrini of Hammonton and alternates Chelsea Bright of Middle Township and Carly Linus of Buena.
Shayla Loud of Cumberland Regional, of the Tri-County Conference, is also on the Tri-Cape team.
"They're all good players," Pickett said. "You just have to get them all on the same page so they play as a team."
Every player must play at least three innings in a Tri-Cape game, and a pitcher can go no more than four innings in a game.
"All the players will be playing more than one position," Pickett said.
Surran, the Buena catcher, may also play the outfield. She'll be a senior in the fall.
"I definitely feel honored to be chosen to play," said Surran, 17, of Estell Manor. "I'm excited. It's like extending the high school season.
"The girls are all great players. I know some of them from playing against them, and others I know from summer ball."
