New Hanover hosts Dixie Girls Softball Tournament

Thirty-two softball teams are competing in the Dixie Girls State Softball Tournament this week at the Cape Fear Optimist Park softball complex in New Hanover County.

In the 8 and Under division, the Cape Fear Darlings took on Anson County. Anson county defeated Cape Fear 26 to 7, knocking them out of the tournament.

It has been several years since Wilmington has hosted the Dixie Girls State Championship. “It’s a rotating schedule,” said Cape Fear Optimist President Andy Jackson. “You put in a bid at the beginning of the year. We were fortunate last year to host the district tournament as well as the boys state tournament. For the past few years we’ve probably brought in 70-80 teams into the Port City area.”

Burgaw has a handful of teams in the softball tournament. The burgaw debutants play in the 15 to 19 year old age group. They played West Stanly Sunday afternoon, but the girls from West Stanly beat Burgaw 5 to 4.

The tournament ends Wednesday with 5 championship games.