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Cape baseball downs Sallies, plays Conrad for DIAA championship

State title game set for 7 p.m., June 1, at Frawley Stadium
Cape senior pitcher Brad Marks gets pumped after going three up, three down in the first inning of the 9-2 victory over Salesianium in the DIAA semifinals. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
May 31, 2025

The Cape baseball team got sweet revenge with a 9-2 DIAA semifinal win over Salesianum May 30, punching a ticket to play Conrad in the state championship game Sunday, June 1, at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington. The Vikings’ only blemish on their season record was the 14-10 loss to the Sals April 26.

“Brad [Marks] did a great job coming back to face that team again,” said Cape coach Ben Evick. “He was fired up, ready for the test and set the tone in the first inning going three up, three down.“

Jase Mitchell started off the high-powered offense with a solo home run in the third inning. 

“We were confident in the box that we would make things happen and get some runners on, and Jase came through with the homer and a two-run triple in the fourth,” Evick said.

Marks stayed with his approach through the middle innings and worked through a few jams. Sallies’ biggest opportunity occurred  when they had the bases loaded with two outs. A hit into right center field appeared to be destined to clear the bags for the No. 4 seed, but Cape’s Emmett Wheatley turned on the afterburners and made a monumental diving catch to shut down the inning.

“I saw it was over my head and I thought I had a chance to grab it,” said Wheatley. “I sprinted back and put everything on the line and grabbed it.”

“It was a giant boost for us,” said Evick.

Cape got the lead-off hitter on base in the sixth inning and pressured Sallies by stealing bases and taking advantage of wild pitches.

Mitchell went 3-for-3 with a homer, triple, single and three RBIs. Brady Kosc had a pair of hits, along with Aaden Johnson and Emmett Wheatley. Johnson reached base safely all three at bats and scored two runs. 

Jacob Smith came in and shut the Sals bats down in the seventh, striking out two batters to close the door. 

“I felt great today,” said Marks. “Last night, I studied each hitter very hard, and I knew what I wanted to pitch to each hitter and how I wanted to approach them. [Catcher] Jase [Mitchell] and I were on the same page all game, and that’s how it happened. Jase hit amazing today. Everyone played great. Everything is for the team, and that’s how we play.” 

The state championship game at Frawley Stadium is set for 7 p.m.

Cape senior Jase Mitchell goes yard in the third inning.
Cape senior shortstop Brady Kosc makes a diving stop on a low throw to second.
Senior Brad Marks delivers to the plate in the second inning. Marks threw six strong innings on the mound.
Cape second baseman Aaden Johnson snags a grounder.
Senior third baseman Malachi Woods charges a ball at the hot corner.
Cape pitcher Brad Marks delivers to the plate.
Cape second baseman Aaden Johnson throws to first for an out.
Dom Mangini takes off to first.
Brad Marks delivers to the plate.
Cape’s Aaden Johnson delivers with a hit.
Malachi Woods snags a grounder at the hot corner.
Emmett Wheatley's diving catch in the right-center gap ended a Sallies rally and sparked Cape.
Brad Marks and Jase Mitchell congratulate each other on a great inning.
Cape’s Liam Mitchell gets an out at first.
Brady Kosc gets up for a grab at shortstop.
Nick Clampitt shows his juice/energy meter.
Jacob Smith came in during the sixth inning and shut down the Sals.
Cape’s Emmitt Wheatley makes a second diving catch in left.
Cape’s Trey Hitchcock, left, helps Emmett Wheatley celebrate his diving catch to end the inning.

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