CR eliminates Delmarva Christian from softball tournament
The Delmarva Christian softball team’s 2021 season came to an end May 22 with a tight 3-2 loss to Caesar Rodney in Camden.
The Royals outhit the Riders 6-4. They left runners in scoring position three times, but just couldn’t get the tying run across the plate. The Royals finish their season at 11-6.
Lydia Woods led the Royals at the plate, going 2-for-3. Katie Thompson and Maggie Kwiatkowski each had a hit and an RBI. Lilli Showacre and Kandice Schlabach each had a hit.
Lilli Showacre pitched great in the circle, scattering four hits while striking out 11 batters.
“This was a fun game to be a part of, even though we didn’t get the result we wanted,” said Royals head coach Keith Stonebraker. “Give credit to CR. Peyton Shields pitched well; they played great defense and took advantage of their opportunities. Lilli [Showacre] was so good in the circle for us again. She legitimately gives us a chance to win any game we are in. Losing Erin Parker in our first-round game to a season-ending knee injury hurt us. You take away a four-hitter and a kid who’s hitting over .450 on the season, it’s going to have an impact. Maggie [Kwiatkowski] stepped in and gave us some good at bats, though, for a freshman who hasn’t had many at bats on the season. She drew the bases-loaded walk, and also singled to set up what should have been bases loaded for the top of our lineup.
“Obviously I’m disappointed. I felt like we could win this game. We’ve played a tough schedule and beat some really good teams. This was another really good team today, but it just didn’t go our way. I’m still so proud of this group of girls. I tell them this all the time, and the result today doesn’t change it. I love them and I’m proud of them.”
“I think we definitely surprised everyone with how much we’ve accomplished and how far we came,” said senior Erin Parker, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Sussex Academy. “I’m really proud of everyone.”
“We were very young this season. Only three of us have any experience playing varsity softball,” said senior Kandice Schlabach. “We all came together, especially the younger players.”
“I think the younger girls looked up to us seniors for leadership,” said Gracie Fetterman. “They stepped up and fulfilled the roles that we needed them to fill. They were great, and we’re proud of all of them.”
This was the first tournament appearance ever for the Royals, who have won 60 games since 2016.
