The Capital Area Cyclones are going big time

By Tim Goodwin - Jul 25, 2017 | 0 comments

Lily Hackett Nickname: The Rock Age: 11 Position: 2B Hometown: Concord What are you looking forward to most about the world series? I’m looking forward to swimming in the pools, I’m not going to lie, but I’m also looking forward to playing with my team. What is your best memory from this season so far? Probably me making the last out of the regional championship game. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? I like reading a lot. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Raspberry What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? I go to an outdoor camp where you play games and go in the pool all day. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

Mia Wagner Nickname: Swagner Age: 11 Position: OF Hometown: Concord What are you looking forward to most about the world series? So I can have fun with my team and so we can spend time together, and hopefully win a couple games. What is your best memory from this season so far? Winning regionals. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? Playing basketball and guitar. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Vanilla soft-serve dipped in chocolate. What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? Just relax and go back to school shopping, stuff like that. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

Madi Cunha Nickname: Ice Age: 11 Position: 2B/P Hometown: Hooksett What are you looking forward to most about the world series? Having good games and a good time with my team. What is your best memory from this season so far? Winning the Memorial Day tournament. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? I also play basketball. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Black raspberry What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? Go to basketball camp. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

Delaney Duford Nickname: Diesel Age: 11 Position: C/OF Hometown: Concord What are you looking forward to most about the world series? I’m really looking forward to the experience of playing different teams from all over the U.S.A. What is your best memory from this season so far? I loved when we won the first tournament, it was a really big moment for us, qualifying for the World Series. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? I really enjoy playing basketball. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Cookie dough What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? After we get back I have a two-week break and then I go into basketball. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

Sarah Taylor Nickname: Nails Age: 10 Position: 3B/P Hometown: Concord What are you looking forward to most about the world series? I’m really looking forward to playing other teams and seeing more competition. We did have competition up here, but down there it will be better. What is your best memory from this season so far? When we won regionals, everybody jumped up and started hugging each other, and got in this huge hug circle. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? I like to hang out with my friends and make slime. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Black raspberry What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? Nothing really, probably visit some of my cousins in Massachusetts. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

Maddie Kelley Nickname: Maddog/Lucky Charms Age: 11 Position: 1B Hometown: Concord What are you looking forward to most about the world series? I would say I’m looking forward to having this big adventure with my team and it’s a really big experience. Not everyone can say they went down to Florida to play in the World Series. What is your best memory from this season so far? Winning some of our tougher games, like winning regionals. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? I’m really into sports. And spending time with my friends and family. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mocha chip. What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? Me and my friends are going get together and have some fun before school starts. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

Steph Elrick Nickname: Game day Age: 11 Position: SS/P Hometown: Hopkinton What are you looking forward to most about the world series? Spending time with my teammates. What is your best memory from this season so far? Probably winning regionals, when we got the last out. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? Playing guitar. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Chocolate lovers chocolate What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? I might be going to Smugglers’ Notch in Vermont TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

Sophia Vargas Nickname: Soso Age: 10 Position: 3B Hometown: Concord What are you looking forward to most about the world series? Just to have fun and see how good the other teams are. What is your best memory from this season so far? When I caught a fly ball and got somebody out at third because they took too far of a lead so I got two outs. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? Hanging out at the pool with friends. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Moosetracks What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? Camping with my friends and family. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

Maddy Wachter Nickname: Bomb bomb Age: 11 Position: P Hometown: Concord What are you looking forward to most about the world series? To have fun and just try to win it. What is your best memory from this season so far? When we lost our first game, we came back when I was pitching and we beat the same team 6-2 and I struck out 15 of the 18 batters. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? Play with my brothers. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Mint chocolate chip. What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? Once we get off the plane my mom and I are rushing back because a big group of our family friends go on a camping trip. We also come back on my brother’s birthday, so looking forward to spending the day with him. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

Katie Blinn Nickname: Sticks Age: 9 Position: OF Hometown: Concord What are you looking forward to most about the world series? The teams we will be facing. What is your best memory from this season so far? Winning the regionals. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? I like art, painting. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Raspberry truffle What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? I’m going to the Caribbean. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

Avery MacDonald Nickname: Smalls Age: 10 Position: OF Hometown: Concord What are you looking forward to most about the world series? I think to see the other teams that are there. What is your best memory from this season so far? When Lily made the last out of the championship game of the regionals. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? Spend time with my family and friends. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Coffee Oreo What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? Probably just to take it easy because most of my summer has been softball. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

Finnley Prhet Nickname: Rocket Age: 10 Position: C/OF Hometown: Concord What are you looking forward to most about the world series? I’m just really looking forward to the experience because to be able to say to your children and grandchildren that you went to the World Series is really cool. What is your best memory from this season so far? When I hit a really good homerun. It was a really big outfield and it rolled all the way to the fence in left field. Outside of softball, what is your favorite hobby? I like to swim and do art. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Black raspberry with chocolate jimmies. What are your plans for the rest of your summer vacation? Hanging out with my friends, going to the lake. That kind of stuff. TIM GOODWIN / Insider staff

The Capital Area Cyclones had a pretty impressive season on the softball diamond.

So much so that the local 10 and under all-star team not only qualified for the Babe Ruth World Series that begins this week in Jensen Beach, Fla., but they did it twice.

That’s right, the group earned an automatic bid when they won the Londonderry Memorial Day tournament, but just for good measure, they won the New England regional title, which is also an automatic qualifier.

“I want to see where New Hampshire stands against some of the better teams down South,” said Coach Chad Duford.

Heading down to Florida, the girls own a 28-1 record this season – their lone loss coming against the Connecticut state champion in the first game of pool play at the New England regionals.

“We only had a handful of close games,” Duford said. “Based on what I knew of the other teams, I knew we’d be one of the best teams in New Hampshire.”

Don’t worry, though, the Cyclones got a little payback with a win over that very same Connecticut team in the semifinals – one of five straight victories to capture the tournament crown. In the championship game, they trailed 5-1 to the Connecticut state runner-up before roaring back for a 9-7 win.

“Before we played the first game at regionals, I told them to be proud of what they’ve accomplished,” Duford said. “After that loss, they played like rockstars.”

They won every tournament they entered – which included a New Hampshire state championship – and will head down to the World Series with a lot of confidence.

Eight of the 12 girls actually qualified for the 8U World Series two summers ago, but as a group the parents decided not to take the team that year. So the goal has been to earn a trip this year.

“We decided two years ago, if we qualified again, we were going,” Duford said.

The team was selected last fall and had eight winter workout sessions before the start of the rec league regular season.

All summer they’ve been playing tournaments and practicing a couple nights a week – working toward a good showing at the World Series.

Once in Florida, the girls will play two three-inning scrimmages wearing customized USA jerseys before the real action begins Friday.

As of last week, Duford was unsure of the team’s schedule, but each game will be broadcast on the Babe Ruth Network, sbworldseries.com. You will also be able to find out more info there.

So far, the team is five for five in tournaments this year.

“Hopefully we can make it six for six,” Duford said.