Sussex Academy softball’s historic season continues in semifinals

A hardworking group of girls continues making a lot of noise in the DIAA softball state tournament and rewriting history as they go.

After winning their first DIAA playoff game in the first tournament game they ever hosted, Sussex Academy softball is still scribbling in the record book after the No. 9 Seahawks upset No. 8 Polytech 11-0 May 23 and walked it off against No. 17 Laurel 8-7 May 24. The quarterfinal game against the Bulldogs was played about 16 hours after the second round contest against the Panthers. Sussex Academy’s success has booked an appointment with No. 12 Sussex Tech in the semifinals at the University of Delaware.

Polytech win

Traveling back to Woodside, where the Seahawks beat the Panthers 6-4 April 3, Sussex Academy took down Polytech 11-0 behind 11 hits and runs scored in every inning.

“Ash [Troxler] with the leadoff single set the tone of the game in our dugout – we were just loud the entire time,” said junior Delainie Monitzer. “Every ball was like a win for us, and we just had to keep the energy up.”

Sussex Academy scored one in the first inning and doubled that output in the second to take a 3-0 lead over Polytech. In the third inning, Danica Bergh launched a two-run blast to give the Seahawks a 5-0 lead.

“I started crying tears of joy because this is the tournament,” Bergh said. “This is where it all counts.”

The Seahawks tallied a run in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings before a three-run seventh inning put the cherry on top of the 11-0 victory. Troxler and Caroline White had two hits and two RBIs apiece, while Ryan Lowe’s two hits produced an RBI. Taegen Forester also had two RBIs and recorded a triple. Emma Orlen scored twice. The double-digit runs proved to be overkill with Carson Gesuero locked in.

“When I was warming up, I told my catcher and my team, ‘I'm feeling it today; I'm feeling my spins,’” Gesuero said. “I'm not the fastest pitcher, but hitting my spots, being able to spin the ball where I want and have them swing and miss is how I play my game.” 

The lone senior was grateful her defense had her back and the skipper noticed the effort.

“Outfield played out of their minds today; every outfielder made a great catch,” said coach Gerald Jester.

Gesuero went the distance for Sussex Academy, surrendering only three hits while striking out eight.

Laurel win

Facing a quick turnaround, the Seahawks hosted the No. 17 Laurel Bulldogs, who upset No. 1 Saint Mark’s the day prior.

Laurel jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first two innings, but the Seahawks settled things down with patient approaches at the plate in the third inning. Trailing 2-1, Sussex Academy loaded the bases with two outs.

“I was really excited. I didn't even know there were bases loaded, to be honest,” said sophomore Grayce Glover. “I was just thinking I needed to get on because I didn't want to be the third out.”

Glover showcased her power by taking a low fastball and blasting it over the fence for a grand slam, putting the Seahawks up 5-2. 

Laurel responded with two runs in the fourth inning before tacking on three in the fifth to take a 7-5 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth. Patience was key, yet again.

Bergh battled with two strikes and two runners in scoring position before a timeout was called. The eighth-grader caught her breath and calmly tied the game on the next pitch with a single that drove in both runners.

Following a scoreless sixth and top of the seventh inning, nine-hole hitter Taegen Forester singled to open the bottom of the seventh. Troxler and Monitzer’s singles put ducks on the pond with Glover at bat and no outs. 

With the tension as thick as the humidity in July, Forester jumped at the chance to do what she does best and took off running as she read a riser that didn’t stop elevating until it smacked against the backstop. The throw was late, high and nearly hit the freshman as she crossed the plate to give the Seahawks an 8-7 walk-off win.

“It's a big moment for me, because I just wanted to do good for my team,” Forester said. “These two games, we’ve always been there for each other, and that always makes it better. It's not just me; it's everyone there for you.”

“Everyone does their job,” Glover said. “You don't have to worry about everyone making mistakes all the time; everyone's got each other's back.”

No. 9 Sussex Academy will square off against No. 15 Sussex Tech at the University of Delaware at 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 27.