Caravel Remains No.1 with win over Appo

On a cool spring night with a light breeze the No. 1 Caravel Bucs and No. 2 Appo Jags squared off for bragging rights in softball. Both teams came into tonight’s contest 9-1, both only losing to Rising Sun (MD). We expected a pitcher’s duel and were anxious to see if both teams outhit the other pitcher. We were treated to both great pitching and great hitting.

Ayla McCathern, a junior pitcher for Appo entered the game tonight with a .76 ERA against Delaware teams andentered with a .677 ERA against Delaware opponents.

Xenidis made quick work of innings 1,2 and 3 striking out 6 of the 9 batters she faced, McCathern was solid, only giving up a double and 1 run until she ran into trouble in the third when Caravel would send 12 hitters to the plate. Kenzie Hunter led off the inning when the Bucs bats exploded for 8 runs, 7 hits (2 doubles), 2 sacrifices. Each player would score a run in the inning except Paige RIchardson who laid down a picture perfect sac bunt and Bethany Watkins who hit a deep ball to centerfield for sac fly that scored Zayda Rocke after she was intentionally walked.

But Appo would not be denied. In the top of the 4th inning Mia Boyd led off with a double followed by a Lauren Foltz double and they would both score to make it 9-2 and end the shut out. Xenidis’ defense continued to play behind her, turning a double play to end the inning.

Caravel would seal the deal in the bottom of the 4th inning when Haley Grygo led off with a single, Zayda Rocke hit a double to score Grygo, and Kasey Xenidis would help her cause with a 2 run homerun to center.

Mia Boyd, Lauren Foltz,  Brianna Russo, and Sophia Miller would have hits for Appo.

Grugo was 3 for 3 with 2 doubles, 3 runs scored, and 2 RBI’s, Rocke was 2 for 2 with 2 doubles, 2 RBI’s, 2 runs scored, and an intentional walk., Hunter was 2 for 2 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored in the Caravel win.

Next up for Appo is Odessa (Thurs.)  and St. Mark’s (Sat.) while Caravel sees Conrad (Thurs), Pennsbury, PA (Sat.) and Cape Henlopen (Mon) which will be broadcast on Delaware Live – 302 Sports.