Imbimbo, Burlington blank Westford Academy
WESTFORD – In a battle between unbeaten teams, it came down to a pitchers’ duel between Burlington junior Cece Imbimbo and Westford Academy senior Ragini Kannan.
Both went the distance in a game that took 11 innings, but it was Imbimbo who pulled out the 1-0 victory for the Red Devils yesterday at Westford Academy. 1 0
Imbimbo was brilliant throughout the day, scattering just four hits while punching out 16 in the complete-game shutout.
“We were sticking with Cece the whole way,” said Burlington head coach Kristen Farrell. “Whatever is going on doesn’t phase her, she is just poised on the mound and goes right after batters. She’s not afraid of anybody.”
Kannan was remarkable as well, striking out 24 hitters and giving up just four hits in her 11 innings of work.
“She was phenomenal,” said Farrell. “She was the best pitcher we’ve seen all year and she kept getting stronger as the game went on.”
With the game still scoreless in the top of the 11th, Red Devil sophomore Katie Hayes drilled a leadoff double to left field. After a strikeout and a passed ball, Hayes ended up at third base with one away.
That’s when Burlington leadoff hitter Cassidy Soohoo laid down a perfect bunt between the pitcher and first base, scoring Hayes for the game’s only run.
“Cass is a great leadoff hitter for us,” Farrell said. “She’s just a gritty player, she’s tough and we can count on her to get the job done.”
Hayes, who was inches away from a home run in the top of the fifth, was recently added to the starting lineup for the Red Devils (11-0).
“She just earned a starting spot not too long ago,” said Farrell. “She’s seeing the ball so well… She is just outstanding for us, she was very impressive today.”
Imbimbo struck out the first two hitters in the bottom half of the 11th before getting Lillian Proulx to ground out to first base, handing the Ghosts (7-1) their first loss of the season.
“She’s just tough, she battles,” said Farrell. “She would have pitched 20 innings today and she wouldn’t have complained.”