In 2025, the Sussex Academy softball team was one run away from a slaughter-rule win over Milford, but the Bucs came back to topple the Seahawks. They avenged that loss April 30, with an 8-6 win.

“We knew going into it they were scrappy,” said coach Gerald Jester. “Every game, they battle. And last year, we had them down, one run away from run ruling them … they came back and beat us in the last two innings. We were kind of prepared for it this year. We knew they weren't going to quit.”

One of the first big plays at the plate for Sussex Academy was Delainie Monitzer’s Little League home run – an inside-the-park home run. Although it was officially scored a triple, the hit put three runs on the board against a tough Briella Salisbury.

“It was so fun to get those three runs in for the team and help the team out,” Monitzer said. “I've been struggling lately, but this is a team game and everyone's had my back lately, and they've been my biggest supporters. That was a triple for the team, home run for the team, so it was great.”

After being held off the board to start the game, Monitzer’s base-clearing hit helped breed confidence in the rest of the lineup.

“They have a strong pitcher ... but we talked in the dugout about our approach each at-bat, and we had the same approach,” Monitzer said. “We just hit the ball today … finally, back to hitting everything.”

Another key moment that showed just how dialed in the Seahawks were was when freshman Audrey Snyder was in the box against Salisbury. Jester called a timeout to speak to his young slugger.

“Coach Jester was talking to me before, and he was like, ‘Changeup is coming next pitch,’” she said. “And it just happened.”

What happened was a no-doubt rocket that sliced through the wind to the tennis court fences.

“It was all her,” Jester said “She made me look really good.”

As Snyder rounded the bases, grinning ear to ear, her teammates gathered at home to celebrate the blast.

“Whenever I see my friends smiling at me, I'm just so happy,” Snyder said.

Milford threatened in the late innings, but Sussex Academy’s defense regained its poise to collect the final outs for the 8-6 victory in their final home game of the year.

“Feels like redemption ... finally, we beat Milford,” Monitzer said. “Beating them in my senior year is nice.”

Sussex Academy (7-5) will finish out its schedule on the road, starting with a three-game week against Delaware Military Academy Monday, May 4; Delmar Tuesday, May 5; and Seaford Thursday, May 7. The Seahawks close the season with trips to Odessa Monday, May 11, and Saint Mark’s Thursday, May 14.