Inside The Circle – Week 1 softball top 10

Spring sports are among us. Softball is in the air. Lots of good early season matchups that are worth getting out to watch. Check out our top 10 rankings for week 1. 

 

#1 Caravel (0-0) The defending state champs open the season Thursday against DMA. Coach Randy Johnson has a powerful offensive team with Haley Grygo, Zayda Rocke, Paige Richardson and Kendall Browne leading the way. In the circle is returning pitcher Kasey Xenidis.

#2 Sussex Central (1-0) The Golden Knights have 4-year starter Madge Layfield pitching and one of the best position players in the state in Takyla Davis. John Wells’ team blanked Smyrna 11-0 in their season opener.

#3 St Marks (3-0) The Spartans are off to a great start with wins over Middletown, Conrad and Concord. Liv Datilio will probably handle most of the pitching duties, but coach Jon Thomas has at least three others he can call on to take some innings. The offense is led by Chloe Bedwell, Kate Lovett, and Kimorah Neal.

 #4 Appo (2-0) Coach Brian Timpson always fields a competitive team in west Middletown. He will rely heavily on returning pitcher Ayla McCathern, and the bats of Brianna Russo, Lauren Foltz, and Mia Boyd. An early season 6-5 win in 8 innings against Laurel featured the Jags trailing by 5 runs after the fourth, and rallying for the victory. 

#5 Laurel (1-1) Kylee Hill is one of the top pitchers in the state with a “nasty” changeup in her arsenal. Her battery-mate Bailey Ullman and sister Ashlyn lead the offense. 

#6 Polytech (2-0) The Panthers are loaded up and down the lineup plus they have a solid pitcher in Mara Everton. Rachel Carey has belted 3 homers in the first 2 games, while Gabrielle Bogdon, Mackenzie Mitchell and Brianna Benton add to coach Kyle Taylor’s juggernaut.  

#7 Lake Forest (2-0) The Spartans have a good mix of power and speed plus pitcher Carah Sumpter. Chloe Revelle, Katelyn Bell, and Kaitlyn Pierce triggered the scoring while Sumpter provided an early season highlight performance against Delmar by recording 17 strikeouts and hitting a grand slam.   

#8 Cape Henlopen (1-0) Coach Mike Tkach returns the entire starting lineup from last season. Abby Marsh is solid in the circle. Hayden Hudson, Alivia Heers, and Ava Calciano (UConn commit) anchor a solid offense. 

#9 Smyrna (1-1) New head coach Nina Marcano (former coach at Middletown) takes over for Nicki Shirey who will now serve as a volunteer coach. Linda Roscoe will split time in the circle with Alexis Dennis. Roscoe is also one of the top batters on the team. 

#10  DMA (0-0) Veteran coach Roman Allin once again will have the Seahawks in the mix. Emily Trzonkowski handles the pitching duties. The ‘hawks were scheduled to open the season against St Elizabeth on the 26th.

For Delaware Live Sports, this is Glenn Frazer…”Inside The Circle”