Inside The Circle - Top 10 Week 8

Emily Trzonkowski from DMA throws a pitch during a game, photo by Ben Fulton

Inside The Circle – Top 10 Final Regular Season

One week of regular season action remains before the DIAA meets to determine the 24 schools that will make the 2023 tournament. The 2-time defending state champs from Caravel Academy are scheduled to play Conrad Monday before finishing the week at #3 Indian River. Randy Johnson’s Bucs have reeled off 12 straight wins with their only loss coming to Rising Sun, MD. Kasey Xenidis and Morgan Maxwell are formidable pitchers to compliment (possibly) the most dangerous offense in the state with Veronica Diomede, Brooke Holdsworth, Haley Grygo and a host of others.

The Indians have won 10 in a row losing early-season close games to Delmarva Christian, Appo and Sussex Central. The Indians avenged the regular season loss to the Golden Knights by winning the Henlopen Conference championship game Friday. Head coach Sara Powell has I-R peeking at the right time with Kinsley Hall in the circle.

Middletown edged Appo 2-1 in 9 innings last week thus capturing the Blue Hen Flight A title. Some other results from key games were: Laurel’s 2-1 win against Delmarva Christian. Lake Forest lost a 1-0 contest to the Royals, then came back to win 5-4 over Milford. There was a fantastic pitching matchup with Sussex Central and St. Marks resulting in a 1-0 victory for the Golden Knights. Madge Layfield recorded 13-K’s in the win while Carly Maxton set down 12 batters for the Spartans.

302 Sports broadcasted a make up game originally scheduled for April 29th, as Cape Henlopen defeated Archmere 12-1. Alivia Heers homered, singled twice and walked to lead the Vikings as she scored 4 runs. Abi Marsh struck out 10 and allowed just 1 hit. That hit came from the bat of Ryan Vitola in the 4th inning. Vitola promptly stole 2nd, 3rd, and home to score the lone run for the Auks.

Here is the current Top 10 for Delaware Live-302 Sports:

1 – Caravel (13-1) 12 straight wins, faces Conrad Monday, at IR Wednesday.

2 – Delmarva Christian (13-3) Finishes vs Ursuline & Seaford.

3 – Indian River (14-3) 10 straight wins. Showdown with Caravel Wednesday.

4 – Sussex Central (13-3) 1-0 win vs St Marks. Finishes with Penn & DMA.

5 – St Marks (13-2) 5-0 win vs Appo. Faces Concord then DMA (20th).

6 – Lake Forest (11-5) Closes with Woodbridge & CR.

7 – Laurel (13-5) Finishes regular season with 2-1 win over Delmarva Christian.

8 – Cape Henlopen (10-6) Senior Day vs Conrad Friday.

9- Middletown (11-3). Wins BHC Flight A 2-1 in 9 innings vs Appo.

10- Smyrna (11-6) Wins over Appo & Sussex Central last week. Hosts RLCA.

Others receiving consideration are Milford (12-3, DMA (10-4), Appo (10-4), Polytech (10-5) and Padua (9-5).