Cape baseball falls in semis to DMA

The Cape baseball team’s 2023 season came to an end June 1, with a 10-4 loss to Delaware Military Academy in the DIAA semifinals at Frawley Stadium in Wilmington. The Vikings finished the season with a 16-6 record.

The Vikings fell behind in the first inning and couldn’t claw their way back, as DMA’s bats were hot, eventually scoring 10 runs on 10 hits. The Vikings scored one in the third and had a three-run fifth inning on eight hits to give the Cape fans hope.

“We are going to keep battling,” said Cape coach Ben Evick. “We aren’t a team that tucks and runs. We don’t quit. We fight, and they did just that in those middle innings. They kept their heads in the game and were grinding, trying to score runs and chip away. I’ll remember these guys for taking adversity head-on. We lost our two and three hitters out of our lineup with injury, and that took its toll. The seniors were part of the championship team last year, and they did a great job this year leading our younger guys, and I feel we got here because of their leadership.”

Timmy Hitchcock went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Lex Wescott went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Owen Daminger delivered at the plate with an RBI. Brady Kosc went 2-for-3. Issac Terhune, Jase Mitchell and Jaxon Clampitt each had a hit. Daminger, Kosc, Mitchell and Brenn Scott each had a stolen base.

Clampitt started on the mound, allowing only one earned run. Hitchcock came in from the bullpen and did not allow an earned run.

“I’m just absolutely grateful for the season we had and what we were able to do with a lot of life’s curveballs that were thrown at us,” said Hitchcock. “It hurt with two of our best hitters and players being knocked out for the season early on. I absolutely love this group with all my heart. And we played hard. We couldn’t finish it this year, but that’s life. That’s what’s going to happen. You got to look ahead.”

The DMA Seahawks downed Conrad 7-1 to garner the DIAA state championship trophy June 3.