Cape baseball dusts off Sussex Tech 8-4 in state tournament

The Cape baseball team won a first-round state tournament playoff game at Sussex Tech May 23, beating the Ravens 8-4 on the strength of scoring 5 runs in the top of the first inning and another 3 in the top of the third.

Senior crafty lefty Alec McCoy kept the Ravens off balance, shutting them down and shutting them out for six and two-thirds innings, and then the Chorman Crop Duster showed up and Sussex Tech began to score. They tallied four runs with two outs. Then, with a runner on second, Cape catcher Richard Carey threw to the second base bag and caught the runner diving back for the final out of the game.

“We came into the game very confident and feel we can play with anyone in the tournament,” coach Ben Evick said. "We are not content just to be here; we want to survive and win games.”

“And yes, the crop duster added a certain feel to the game,” Evick said. “Good old Sussex County hardball.”

Cape was led on offense by leadoff hitter Drew Mulchay, who had three hits and scored a pair of runs. Zack Gelof had a big double in the third inning to set the table for David Kwan.

The Ravens intentionally walked Kai Vitella with two out in the third inning to load the bases, electing to pitch to Kwan, who roped a single to left field, chasing home a pair of runs.

Cole Collins and Colin Bergh each had two hits for the Ravens.

Cape will play Salesianum at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington at 4 p.m., Tuesday, May 26.

Sallies defeated Cape April 18 by a score of 3-1.

Sallies enters the game 15-3, while the Vikings are now 12-7.