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Vikings baseball drops heartbreaker to Dover 4-1

Cape plays Polytech May 7 at home
Cape second baseman Luke Smailer slams a single in the loss to Dover. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
May 3, 2019

Cape scored a run in the third inning May 2, and it looked like it was going to hold up until the seventh, when the Senators put four on the scoreboard to take a 4-1 victory.

The Vikings defeated Dover 6-5 in the DIAA semifinals at Frawley Stadium last season.

Cape moves to 9-4 on the season, while the Senators move to 12-1.

The Vikings’ Grant Evans singled in the third inning. After he stole a base, he scored on a passed ball.

That lead held up until the top of the seventh inning, when Harim Davis walked, stole second and scored on a single by Samuel Courtney. Pinch hitter Keon Malone then went yard over the right-field fence to score two more. Alec Rodriguez was hit by a pitch. He then scored on a sac fly by Dominic Velazquez.

“It was definitely a disappointing way to lose a game,” said Cape coach Ben Evick. “Mason [Fluharty] was spectacular through 6 1/3 innings. A walk and his throwing error led to their tying run. Our guys battled at the plate against the best pitcher we’ve seen all year. We had a couple other missed opportunities to put other runs up, but we couldn’t get it done. They’re a very good team that doesn’t quit. This was an experience that we will get better from.”

“We are definitely happy about the win,” said Dover coach Dave Gordon. “My players have worked hard and have really bought into the program. It was a great Northern Division battle, and it’s nice to get out with the W.”

Cape had four hits in the game. Luke Johnson, Luke Smailer, Logan Dominick and Evans all had singles in the contest. Fluharty took the loss, striking out eight while walking two Senators. Parker Brown came in with one out in the seventh, striking out one. 

Dover pitcher Dominic Velazquez went the distance, striking out nine while walking two.

The Vikings travel to Woodside Tuesday, May 7, to face the Polytech Panthers.

Cape second baseman Luke Smailer slams a single in the loss to Dover. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Cape starter Mason Fluharty delivers to Dover pitcher Dominic Velazquez.
Cape’s Logan Dominick dives into second but is called out on a close play.
Cape right fielder Grant Evans gets the ball in quickly after a Dover base hit.
Dover pitcher Dominic Velazquez delivers to the plate.
Cape shortstop Luke Johnson makes the catch despite colliding with left fielder Robbie Baxley.
The Cape bench looks on in the seventh inning.
Grant Evans scores on a passed ball.
Grant Evans, left, is met by his bench after scoring the Vikings’ lone run.
Cape catcher Timmy Vitella squeezes a strike from Dover’s Chris Dabney.
Senior Parker Brown came in from the bullpen to relieve Mason Fluharty.
Dover pinch hitter Keon Malone runs the bases after going yard in the seventh.
The Dover team welcomes pinch hitter Keon Malone after he delivered a two-run homer in the seventh.
Cape catcher Timmy Vitella throws the ball around the horn after Mason Fluharty strikes out Dover’s Michael Carrington.
Cape’s Logan Dominick dives safely back to first.
Cape first baseman Tyler Husbands looks a Dover foul ball into his glove.
Dover’s Hiram Davis dives safely into second.
Tyler Husbands holds the runner close to first.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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