Inside The Circle: 2024 softball recap

With the 2024 softball season in the “rear view mirror”, we present our reflections of the year that culminates with the Blue-Gold All Star game to be played Wednesday at Red Lion Christian Academy and will be broadcast on Delaware Live Sports.

Twenty-five different schools were represented on the three All State teams. Several of those players will participate in the All Star game. The first team included 2 players from 9 programs, including pitcher and Player-of-the-Year Madge Layfield from Sussex Central. 

Here is our final Top 10 of 2024: 

No. 1 Caravel (18-1) The Buccaneers won the school’s record 14th state championship and fourth in a row in a 2-0 victory against Sussex Central. Kasey Xenidis held the Golden Knights scoreless plus “plated” the game’s only runs with a 2-out bases loaded hit in the sixth. Both Xenidis and 3B Haley Grygo were selected to the All State first team. Catcher Zayda Rocke made the second team.  

No. 2 Sussex Central (19-3) For the 3rd time in the last 4 years, the Golden Knights lost to Caravel in a very close state title game. In 2021 it was a pitchers’ duel for 11 innings in a 1-0 loss to the Buccaneers, a year later an 8-7 setback, and 2-0 this season. As mentioned previously, Madge Layfield was named the Player of the Year. She was joined on the All State first team by Takyla “T-K” Davis while freshman Lauren Myers received honorable mention. 

 

 No. 3 Laurel (15-6) Laurel had another successful campaign with all state pitcher Kylee Hill in the circle. The Bulldogs advanced to the semifinal round and had a 2-1 lead at Caravel through five innings before falling to the champs 5-2. Hill was joined on the first team by Bailey Ullman while sister Ashlyn Ullman was named to the second team.  

 

No. 4 Cape Henlopen (16-5) The Vikings improved steadily throughout the season, advancing to the semis with tournament wins versus Polytech and St Marks (both top 10 teams). Their season ended with a semifinal loss to Sussex Central. Catcher Jay’Lyn Slater and SS Ava Calciano both were first team selections, while junior Alivia Heers made the second team. 

 

No. 5 Lake Forest (17-3) The Spartans season ended with a 2-1 loss to Caesar Rodney in the second round. This team is young and should be a force again next year. First team all state pitcher Carah Sumpter is a junior and fellow first teamer Bailey Glanden is just a sophomore. Gabrielle Cubbage was named Coach-of-the-Year as Lake will attempt to repeat as Henlopen champs in 2025. 

  

No. 6 St Marks (15-4)   The “other” Spartans from St Marks recorded a 1-1 tournament record losing in the quarterfinals to Cape. Outfielder Chloe Bedwell made the first team along with catcher Morgan Hall. Senior Pia Perrone received honorable mention. 

 

 No. 7 Appoquinimink  (15-5) The Jags also went 1-1 in the tournament, losing a tight 1-0 game in the quarterfinals to Sussex Central. Infielders Brianna Russo and Lauren Foltz were first team selections while outstanding pitcher Ayla McCathern was named to the second team in her junior year. Also on the second team was another junior, shortstop Mia Boyd. The Jags were one of only two schools to have 4 players on an all-state team this year.  

 

No. 8 Polytech (16-4) The Panthers had a strong season, losing to Central, Lake and Cape twice. Their season came to an end in the 2nd round with a loss to the Vikings. Polytech had two first team selections as pitcher Mara Everton and first baseman Rachel Carey received this honor in their senior year. Everton recorded a perfect game in 2024, the first of her career.

 

No. 9  Smyrna (13-7) The Eagles finished as strong as any team this year. Winners of 7 of their final 8 games, Smyrna gave state champ Caravel a scare with a late rally in the quarterfinal game. Smyrna rallied for 4 runs over the final two innings but fell short by a score of 6-5. Linsey Roscoe represented the Eagles on the All State second team. 

TIE No. 10 DMA (14-6) The Seahawks season ended in the second round of the tournament with a 3-1 defeat to Appo. DMA was the other school to have 4 players making All State. Emily Trzonkowski and Ella Campbell received first team honors, Gracie Goad made the second team, and Alexia Miller received honorable mention. 

TIE No. 10 Caesar Rodney (11-10) The Riders gained the tie for the No. 10 spot by virtue of their second-round win against Lake in the tournament. Sydney Hatch was named to the second team, while Chloe Donigan gained honorable mention status. 

 

Honorable Mention: Indian River followed up last year’s championship appearance by making the tournament. The Indian’s had 3 players named to All State: Megan Daisey (2nd team), while Jillian Coulbourn and Macy Blades both received (Honorable mention). 

We look forward to the seniors playing in the Blue-Gold All Star game Wednesday evening at Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear. The skills challenge is scheduled to begin at 5:45 with the game to follow around 6:45. You can view the game “free” on Delaware Live Sports (302 Sports) on our YouTube channel.

One final reflection on a personal note. Be careful where you park at a softball game. See the photo of my vehicle where Madge Layfield and T-K Davis left their “marks”. The only two home runs hit in the semifinal tournament game and BOTH hit my car, barely an inch apart!

All-State softball 

1st team:

P – Madge Layfield, sr., Sussex Central

C – Bailey Ullman, jr., Laurel

1B – Rachel Carey, sr., Polytech

2B – Lauren Foltz, jr., Appoquinimink

SS – Takyla T-K  Davis, sr., Sussex Central

3B – Haley Grygo, sr., Caravel

OF – Chloe Bedwell, jr., Saint Mark’s

OF – Ella Campbell, sr., DMA

OF – Destiny Mitchell, sr., Sussex Tech

1st Team at large

P – Mara Everton, sr., Polytech

P – Carah Sumpter, jr., Lake Forest

P – Emily Trzonkowski, jr., DMA

P – Kylie Hill, sr., Laurel

P – Kasey Xenidis, sr., Caravel

3B – Natalie Nycz, sr., Charter of Wilmington

SS – Bayli Glanden, so., Lake Forest

SS – Ava Calciano, jr., Cape Henlopen

3B – Brianna Russo, sr., Appoquinimink

C – Jay’Lyn Slater, sr., Cape Henlopen

C – Morgan Hall, sr., Saint Mark’s

 

2nd team:

C – Zayda Rocke, jr., Caravel. P – Megan Daisey, sr., Indian River. 3B – Ashlyn Ullman, jr., Laurel. SS – Sydney Hatch, sr., Caesar Rodney. SS – Bryn O’Connor, sr., Newark Charter. DP – Lindsey Roscoe, so., Smyrna. P – Ayla McCathern, jr., Appoquinimink. SS – Jordyn Hollamon, jr., Delmar. SS – Tanai Tippens, so., William Penn. 3B – Alivia Heers, jr., Cape Henlopen. SS – Mia Boyd, jr., Appoquinimink. 3B – Alaina Baber, sr., St. Georges. 1B – Gracie Goad, so., DMA. OF – Carly Polsky, jr., Archmere. OF – Ella Gandolfo, sr., Charter of Wilmington. 3B – Ellie Baldwin, sr., Conrad.

Honorable Mention:

OF – Gabby Pepper, sr., Middletown. P – Erin McDonough, sr., Hodgson. 1B – Sophia Johnston, jr., Charter of Wilmington. 2B – Jillian Coulbourn, jr., Indian River. SS – Rachel Waslyn, sr., Concord. 1B – Macy Blades, sr., Indian River. SS – Olivia George, so., Conrad. 2B – Chloe Donigan, sr., Caesar Rodney. SS – Abigail McFarland, jr., Brandywine. C – Siena Evans, so., Padua. C – Rihana Joswick, so., St. Georges. 1B – Pia Perrone, sr., Saint Mark’s. 2B – Alexis Miller, jr., DMA. 3B – Lauren Myers, fr., Sussex Central.