Cape trio smashes four home runs in all-star game

A slew of senior players from the ultra-competitive Henlopen Conference joined forces, some on the Blue team and some on the Gold squad, in the annual softball all-star game June 12.

“It was so much fun to come in and play with all these girls that I know, I've competed against and some I played with years ago,” said recent Cape grad Ava Calciano. “Having my last game with my teammates and my coaches from Cape was really meaningful.”

This year’s game was held at Red Lion Christian Academy and featured a skills competition before the first pitch. Gold triumphed in the home run derby, bunting and relay race to upend the Blue squad, which won both fielding challenges. 

Gold was led by Cape coaches Mike Tkach and Chuck Hudson. Representing the Vikings were Calciano, Alivia Heers and Hayden Hudson. 

Heers competed in the home run derby, while Hudson joined Calciano in the fielding trial, and Calciano competed in the relay race.

Although the team with mostly southern players lost 14-10, they were down 13-3 at one point, and a comeback was fueled by the three Cape players.

In her first at-bat, Calciano walloped a solo homer to kick-start the potential comeback. It would be her first of two blasts, as she, Heers and Hudson each belted round-trippers with their final high school swings.

For her efforts, Calciano was named the Gold MVP, but she was just happy to play another game of the sport she loves.

“I would be lying if there was one specific thing – it's just everything,” Calciano said. “As soon as I step on the field, I am immediately happy; just thinking about the sport brings me so much joy.”

Hudson was the second Viking to go deep. Making the moment all the more special was that her father, Chuck, was in the dugout.

“I've been very blessed to be inside the lines or on the bench for almost her entire high school career, and it’s very special,” Chuck said. “She made it very easy … it's hard being the coach's kid; never once did she make me feel uncomfortable or treat me like ‘Dad,’ and I tried not to treat her like my daughter most of the time too.”

Heers was not to be outdone by her teammates, as she too booked a round-trip journey immediately after Hudson’s bomb. The future St. Joseph softball player’s joy could not be contained as she made her way around the bases. 

“I wanted to stop at third and give [coach Tkach] a hug,” Heers said. “Coach Tkach is just such an amazing guy for all of us, and he just kind of made our softball career how it was.” 

“These girls have impacted my life so much, and I'm thankful for them,” Tkach said. “They're gonna be missed.”