Cape baseball finishes regular season with wins over Appo and St. Mark’s
The Cape baseball team put two quality victories in the book last week with a 3-1 win over Appoquinimink May 18 and a 3-0 shutout of Saint Mark’s May 20. They now await their seeding for the upcoming DIAA State Tournament, which is set to open Saturday, May 27.
In the win over Appoquinimink, junior pitcher David Erickson pitched a complete game, giving up only four hits while striking out 10 Jaguars batters.
“David did really well against Appo,” said head coach Ben Evick. “He pounded both sides of the zone.”
Appoquinimink was 14-2 coming into the game.
“It was great to get the W,” said Evick. “It was a fun game to be a part of because they are a good-quality team. It definitely prepares us for the upcoming tournament.”
Vikings junior Zach Dale led the way offensively, going 2-for-3 with a run scored.
“Zach made a great heads-up play on base to get into scoring position,” Evick said.
Junior shortstop Zack Gelof slammed an inside-the-park home run in the fifth inning, as Jaguars centerfielder Javon Fields made a diving effort for the ball.
“Our intensity has picked up,” Evick said. “The guys really played the caliber of baseball they are capable of playing. We’ve played good defense all season, making great heads-up plays.”
The Vikings extended their four-game winning streak in a 3-0 win at Saint Mark’s.
The game matched up two of the premier pitchers in the state, Austin Elliott for the Vikings and Billy Sullivan for the Spartans.
Junior Austin Elliott picked up the win, shutting out the Spartans for the first six innings, allowing just two hits while striking out nine Spartans batters.
“Austin pitched a really good game,” said Evick. “It was high-level pitching on both sides. I was proud of the guys for stepping in and hitting against a pitcher that throws 91 mph.”
The game was deadlocked at 0-0 when the Vikings’ Elliott singled to start the seventh inning. Dale moved up Elliott with a fielders choice. Erickson delivered with a hit to drive in Elliott. Zach Savage got on with a single, then his big brother, Parker, drove him in with a hit up the center. Designated hitter Noah Piper then drove in the final run with a hit to left.
Zack Gelof came in to set down the Spartans in order in the seventh inning to get the save.
Up 3-0 in the bottom of the seventh, freshman Jake Gelof made a diving play down the third-base line.
“That was a great play,” said Evick.
Cape finishes the regular season at 12-6.
