Final Week Softball Action

As the final week of the regular-season winds down, things are “heating” up on softball diamonds around the state. The regular season ends the 15th with the tournament seeding announced the following day.

Top ranked Sussex Central improved to 16-1 with a 15-2 win against St. Mark’s this week. Freshman Madge Layfield recorded her 200th strikeout in just 98 innings of work. The Golden Knights complete the regular season at St. George’s Vo Tech on the 13th.

#2 Delaware Military picked up a 1-0 win yesterday over #5 Sussex Tech as Graceyn Frost allowed just 2 hits and recorded 15 strikeouts. The Seahawks scored the game’s only run in the 6th inning when Angelina Dell’Oso led off with a single, was sacrificed to 2nd and advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch. Sara Ann Sobocinski brought her home on a sacrifice fly. Marisa Edevane was 2-for-2 for DMA. Megan Sterling and Jaya Shaub each had a hit for the Ravens. DMA (14-2) has one game remaining against First State Military while Sussex Tech finished at 12-5.

Third ranked Caravel lost at #8 Smyrna 12-6 as the Eagles posted 14 hits. The Bucs closed to within a run in the top of the 4th as pitcher Dani Debenedictis homered and Mikayla Walsh hit a 2-run single to make the score 7-6 in favor of the Eagles. Smyrna then broke the game open with 5 runs in their half of the 4th when Sheridan Price, Meghan Shirey, Kirsten Johnson, Gianna Duca and Taylor Lipkins all singled. Duca & Johnson both had 3 hits to lead the Eagles while Price, Lipkins and Kalissa Andruzzi had 2 hits. Carly Maxton went the distance for the win. Smyrna hosts 4th ranked Laurel for the Henlopen Conference championship on the 14th and completes the regular season versus Red Lion Christian Academy Saturday. Caravel finishes the regular season Friday night against #7 Appoquinimink.

The 4th ranked Laurel Bulldogs dispatched #10 Delmarva Christian 10-3 yesterday behind pitcher Kylee Hill. Hill allowed 5 hits and struck out 7 in today’s win. Couri Smith, Bailey Ullman, Ashlyn Ullman and Mackenzie Whalen all had multiple hits for Laurel. The Ullman’s also collected 3 RBI’s a piece. Delmarva Christian was led by Lillian Showacre with 2 hits. Laurel completes the regular season against Smyrna in the conference title game. Delmarva Christian completed its regular season at 11-5.

The sixth ranked Cavaliers of Middletown edged Polytech in an extra inning “walk-off” 6-5 Wednesday. The Panthers led 2-1 going into the 7th & final inning when they added 3 runs to take a 5-1 advantage thanks to a single, an error and a couple of ground outs and good base-running. The Cavs rallied in the bottom of the 7th on a 1-out walk, doubles by Maddy Hackett and Kaylee Stenvick and a 2-run HR off the bat of Paige McGonigal to send the game to extra innings. Middletown led off the 8th with a single by Jax Hackett and after advancing to 2nd with one out, she scored the walk-off thanks to a single from Reese Founds. The 12-4 Cavs finish the regular season at Charter Friday.

The 12-5 Appo Jags are the 7th ranked team. Following a convincing 13-2 victory this week over St. George’s Tech, visit Caravel Friday night for the season finale.

Finally #9 Caesar Rodney completed its regular season with an 8-1 win over Seaford. The Riders have a record of 15-3, the most wins for the program since 2010.

This broadcaster can’t wait for the upcoming state tournament.