Caravel “walks-off” for win over Smyrna

Caravel Academy ended a pitcher’s duel with a walk-off win tonight over Smyrna 2-1. The Buccaneers Leila Rocke singled to deep right-center field with 2 outs to bring home Brooke Holdsworth with the winning run. 

The game was as advertised as the 2nd ranked Eagles came into the game with a record of 4-0, and 3rd ranked Caravel was unbeaten at 7-0. The last time these two faced off was in the 2019 State Championship game when Smyrna & pitcher Payton Dixon won 1-0. 

Caravel scored a run in the 1st inning when lead-off batter Kendall Browne walked, stole second advanced to 3rd on a pass-ball and scored on a pitch that got by the Smyrna catcher. It appeared that score might hold up until the Eagles rallied in the 6th inning when leadoff batter Gianna Duca beat out an infield hit and advanced to 2nd on a bunt single by Taylor Lipkins. Megan Shirey brought Duca home with a sacrifice fly to tie the game and the Eagles loaded the bases on a walk & a fielders choice but Jess Walter struck out the next 2 batters to end the threat. 

Walter was dominating as she recorded 15 strikeouts, and held Smyrna to 4 hits. Smyrna’s Dixon also pitched a gem, allowing just 3 hits & striking out 6.

Caravel’s Holdsworth doubled and walked to go 1 for 2 at the plate plus scored the winning run.  Rocke finished 1-for-3 with the game-winning RBI. Smyrna was led by Lipkins with 2 hits in 4 at bats.