The PAL Sr. Girls' Softball League's summer season ended with the Pink Pixie's (Team 6) completing an undefeated 10-and-0 season, even if the last two games ended with late-inning comebacks.

The girls, in grades seven through twelve, were down by a score of 0-10 in the third inning of their next-to-last game when Christina hit a single, then Stacey and Megan each drew a walk to load the bases. Next, Michelle and Johanna each walked in a run then Jackie slammed a base-clearing triple. In the fourth inning Emily led off with a walk, Annie tapped her over with a single, and Melissa loaded the bases by patiently drawing her walk. Carolyn and Lena, the next two batters, each got an RBI despite sacrificing themselves at first, then Christina's single brought Melissa home, pushing the fourth inning score to a trailing 8-10.

The opponent remained scoreless through the bottom of the fourth. The top of the fifth started with Michelle's single, Johanna's walk, Jackie's two-run scoring double, Emily's RBI single, and Annie's RBI double. After two K's, Lena hit a double for what would be the last RBI of the inning and the game. Protecting a slim 13-10 lead was charged to the battery of Michelle pitching and catchers Johanna and Lena, who kept the opponent scoreless through the final two innings thanks to a strong defensive infield and alert responsive outfield. During those innings, the players were Annie (LF, SS), Carolyn (OF, CF), Christina (3), Emily (2), Jackie (RF, 1), Johanna (C, LF), Lena (1, C), Megan (SS, OF), Melissa (SS, OF), and Stacey (LF, RF). Final score: 13-10, Pixies.

The final game of the season was played at Allen Park, adding the drama of bright lights and passers-by stopping to watch a summer's evening of neighborhood softball, cheering their favorite players and friends. The Pixies were the home team. The girls were confident and loose with a 9-0 record, but going into the fifth inning the Pixies were losing, 12-3. Their coaches reminded them that winning was not everything, but that their dignity was important; if they were doing their best in this game then it was okay to lose, but if they were just sliding by to get it over with, they would regret it later. The ump called "Batter up." Lena swung for the fences, earning a single. Gina drew a walk. Stacey drew a walk to load the bases. Each of these girls' patience drew a walk and an RBI: Annie, Michelle, Christina, Johanna and Taylor.

Defensively, the girls had returned to the previous game's winning defense of the final two innings, lining up behind Michelle on the mound with Annie and Lena as catchers, shutting down the opponents in the fifth inning and allowing only two runs in the sixth. Coming to bat at the bottom of the sixth for the Pixies, down six runs at 14-8, still confident and dignified, Lena slammed a triple with nobody on the bases. Next, Melissa hit a soft single into the dirt at the pitcher's mound. Lena dramatically scurried towards home while Melissa too slowly ran down the first base line. When the pitcher grabbed the ball and pumped as if throwing home, the runner stopped and faked back to third as if hung up, but the pitcher turned to throw to first, so Lena bolted for home to score another run. When the pitcher's attention turned home, Melissa sprinted to first for a single and an RBI. This fired up Gina to hit a single, Jackie to hit a double (Melissa scored), and each of these batters to hit for an RBI single: Stacey, Annie, and Michelle. The game-winning hit was a three-run triple off Christina's bat. Christina's hit not only won the game, but also kept the team's spirit intact.

These girls range from seventh through twelfth grades, yet ignore their age differences on the field and love playing softball in the spirit and atmosphere offered by PAL every summer. The girls are competitive and each worked hard for their well-deserved, undefeated first place awards.

The Pink Pixies (Team 6) enjoyed cheering each other on while meeting new teammates as much as they enjoyed rekindling old friendships on and among teams. Anyone visiting PAL softball games would have seen girls from both teams chatting between dugouts before, during and after games--teaching one another softball skills, trading stories, making social plans, laughing, and enjoying time together. The PAL summer softball experience gives local teenage girls a chance to enjoy sports, fresh air, and friendship without the pressure of a "championship playoff" overshadowing the simplicity of the game. Congratulations to all the PAL softball players for a wonderful summer softball season. A special congratulations goes to the PAL Pink Pixies for their 10-and-0 undefeated First Place season. Farmingdale looks forward to seeing all these girls play again next summer.