Sussex Central baseball Osiah Kelley throws a pitch. Photo courtesy of Sussex Central Facebook
Sussex Central takes No. 1 seed in this year’s DIAA Baseball State Championship. The Golden knights went 15-2 during the regular season with their two losses being to Sussex Tech and Caravel. They had wins over multiple top ranked teams while playing in the toughest conference that placed four teams in the top eight and a fifth in the top eleven.
Let’s look at the top eight teams that earned a bye in the first round and some potential matchups throughout the bracket.
No. 1 Sussex Central got the top seed like I just talked about with wins over multiple top ten teams with a 15-2 record on the season. Sussex Tech ended up winning the Division because they beat Central head to head. However, strength of schedule and opponents’ wins earned them the top seed. They will face the winner Polytech and Laurel this saturday. Potentially they can face No. 8 Concord in the quarters then a possible matchup with No. 4 DMA or No. 5 Sanford.
No. 2 Sussex Tech Ravens went 15-3 in the tough Henlopen North conference. Their losses were to Queens Anne’s (MD, No. 7 William Penn, and No. 9 Saint Mark’s. They did als beat some top ranked opponents including No. 1 Central. They find themselves in the lower bracket and will face the winner of Red Lion and St Georges. In the quarters they can possibly face No. 7 Penn who beat the Ravens in the regular season. In the semi finals they have a potential matchup with conference opponents No.3 Cape Henlopen or No. 6 Caesar Rodney.
No.3 Cape Henlopen had a 16-2 in the third consecutive Henlopen North team. Their two losses were only to No. 1 Central and No. 2 Tech. Notable wins were over No. 6 Caesar Rodney (CR), Caravel and Salesianum. Cape find themselves with a possible matchup with the winner of No. 19 Middletown verse No. 14 Wilmington Friends. In the quarter final its a possible matchup with another Henlopen North opponent CR which they beat in the regular season. If they get to the semi final it’s a possible matchup with No. Tech or No. 7 Penn.
No. 4 Delaware Military Seahawks finished 15-3 in the regular season. Notable wins were to Dover, Archmere, and Caravel. Their losses came to No. 1 Central, No. 7 Penn, and No. 6 CR. They find themselves in the top bracket and will face the winner of No. 20 Brandywine versus No. 11 Salesianum. In the quarters they could face No.5 Sanford Warriors. If they can advance to the semifinals they could potentially face No. 1 Central which they lost to during the regular season.
No. 5 Sanford Warrior finished the season 16-2 and won back to back Independent Conference champions. Notable wins were over No. 8 Concord, and No. 22 Archmere. Their two losses came to No. 20 Brandywine Bulldogs, and No. 13 Salesianum. They also find themselves in the top bracket and will face the winner of No. 21 Woodbridge versus No. 12 Caravel. In the quarter they could potentially face No. 4 DMA and in the Semifinals No. 1 Central.
No. 6 Caesar Rodney Riders finished the season at 13-5 and are the fourth Henlopen North team in the top 10. Notable wins are over No. 4 DMA, No. 11 Dover, and No. 16 Polytech.Key losses were to all top 3 teams in the tournament. They are in the lower bracket and will face the winner of No. 11 Dover and No. 22 Archmere, which they did beat both teams this season. In the quarters they could face No. 2 Cape Henlopen which they lost to as well. Then if they can get by Cap they could possibly see No. 2 Tech who they lost to as well. Tough draw for the Riders.
No. 7 William Penn Colonials finished the regular season at 14-4. Notable wins were over No. 2 Tech, No. 4 DMA and to No. 9 Saint Mark’s. Key losses were to No. 13 Salesianum, No. 19 Middletown and No. 1 Central. They are in the lower bracket and will face the winner of #23 Indian River and No 10 Delmar which they did not face either team this season. In the quarters they could potentially face No. 2 Tech who they did beat head to head. Then in the semis they could face No. 3 Cape.
No. 8 Concord Raiders finished the regular season at 15-3. Notable wins were over No. 22 Archmere and No. 20 Brandywine. Key losses were to No. 14 Friends, and No. 5 Sanford. They will face the winner of No. 24 Lake Forest and No. 9 Saint Mark’s. If they advance to the quarters they could face No. 1 Central. Concord has a tough draw here
No. 9 Saint Mark’s Spartans finished the regular season 14-4. Notable wins were over No. 2 Sussex Tech, No. 13 Salesianum, and No. 19 St Georges. Key losses were to No. 3 Cape Henlopen and to No. 7 William Penn. The Spartans do not get a bye as they will face No. 24 Lake Forest. If they advance they will face No. 8 Concord this Saturday
No. 10 Delmar Wildcats finished the season at 11-7. Notable wins were over No. 21 Woodbridge and No. 24 Lake Forest. Key losses were to all of the top 3 seeds in this bracket. The Wildcats also did not get a bye and they will face No. 23 Indian River who they did defeat this season. If they advance they will face No. 7 William Penn this Saturday.
This year it is anyone’s championship to take. With so many good teams in the state this season the playoffs should be exciting. So get out there and see some good games over the next week and a half. See the schedule here LINK
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