A thumping from Donovan Catholic and a heartbreaking loss to Jackson Liberty within a five-day span was about all the Pinelands Regional softball team needed to endure before it took a moment to evaluate its approach to the rest of the season.

“After Liberty, that was the first time our team had lost back-to-back games in four years, so it was tough on us,” said junior pitcher Jessie Rising, who limited Barnegat to four hits during a 3-2 victory on April 21.