Cape softball tames the Lions in extras
It was a back-and-forth game with many highs and lows, but when the final out was made, the Cape Henlopen softball team had pulled off a 7-5 win in nine grueling innings, in which the lead changed more often than Delaware spring weather.
The Lions got on the board first via a Cape throwing error. But the young Vikings tied the game in the top of the second. After Sydney Doel was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a single by Savannah Reed, she scored on a sac fly to center by Gianna Vayda, who went 4-for-5 on the day.
After Red Lion scored one in the third, Cape answered with two in the fourth. Mackenzie Irelan beat out an infield single, and Kaniah James knocked her in. James then scored on a double by Rye Elliott.
The Lions captured the lead with two in the bottom of the inning. The teams exchanged outs until the seventh, when the Vikings went ahead on singles by Doel and Vayda.
Once again the Lions would not retreat, tying the game in the bottom of the seventh. After a scoreless ninth, the stage was set for some Huling time.
Vayda singled to start the Vikings’ heroics. Chloe Fluharty walked, and both were advanced to second and third by Kaeli O'Neill-Willey. Sophomore Kelsey Huling then delivered a double to score Vayda and Fluharty.
With two Lions on base after a lead-off ground out, freshman Marissa Frederick finished the game with a pop out and a ground out.
“We are really proud of how this team battles back and never counts themselves out of a game,” said head coach Shannon Timmons. “We have to clean up some of the mistakes moving forward, but we had a great team effort with everyone producing at the plate and reducing the amount of strikeouts.”
The Vikings made numerous Sportscenter plays in the field, as O'Neill-Willey and Elliott made diving catches to end Lions scoring opportunities.
Collecting multiple hits for the Vikings were Irelan, Vayda, Huling, Elliott, O'Neill-Willey, Haley Rauch and Doel.
“We talk every day about being aggressive offensively, having quality at-bats, and just taking things one at at time. We followed our game plan at the plate, and it paid off,” Timmons said.
Red Lion pitcher Courtney Paolantonio went 4-for-5 for the Lions. She also took the loss in the circle.
Reed went 3.2 innings for Cape, striking out two Lions batters, while allowing three hits, walking one and surrendering four runs.
Frederick threw 5.1 innings in relief, striking out two, while allowing three walks, four hits and one run.
“The pitchers continue to mature and throw in tandem to help our team be successful,” said Timmons.
The Lady Vikings move to 4-4 on the season. They were set to take on Delmarva Christian Thursday, April 19, and Saint Mark’s Friday, April 20, at Cape.
