The 2021 DIAA Softball Tournament began yesterday with ten teams in action trying to advance to the âround-of-32â on Thursday. Three of the five games featured huge 1st innings by the victors while one game wasnât decided till the end.
In Claymont, Archmere scored 7 runs in the first inning and went on to defeat a very young Christiana team 10-3. Tori Conner went the distance striking out 16 batters and allowing just 3 hits to get the win. Conner also went 3-for-4 at the plate, scoring 2 runs and collecting 2 RBIâs. Kaitlin Lotkowski had a team-high 4 RBIâs while Marissa Quercetti added 2 RBIâs. Christianaâs roster includes no seniors and just one junior. The rest are sophomores or younger. The Vikings were led by Sydney Ahlstrom scoring 2 runs and swiping 3 bases with one of the teamâs 3 hits. Pitcher Lauren Carbonara struck out 11 batters. The Auks advance to play 4th seed Laurel Thursday.
Polytech scored 11 runs in the first inning and went on to a 17-3 win over the Hodgson Silver Eagles. Mara Everton had 3 hits including a home run and 6 RBIâs, while teammate Cheyenne Silves knocked in 3 runs as the Panthers had 20 hits total. Freshmen Everton and Julia MacConnell combined on a 4-hitter for the win. The Silver Eagles were led by Alyssa White with 2 hits and 2 runs. Polytech travels to Midway Thursday to face #2 seed Delaware Military Academy.
St. Elizabeth banged out 17 hits in a 23-1 win over Newark. Angela Cheyney had 3 hits including a grand slam to lead the Vikings. Annabella Zagame went 4-for-5 with 2 doubles while pitcher Skylar Gallucio allowed just 1 hit and struck out 9 batters in 5 innings of work to get the win. The Yellowjacketsâ Brooke Wilfong had the lone hit. The Vikings play at #5 Smyrna Thursday.
The Mustangs of MOT Charter raced out to an 8-2 lead after one inning and went on to a 12-4 victory against Brandywine. Allyson Lorenzoni stole 5 bases, scored twice and added 2 hits for the Mustangs. Eighth-grader Madison Blanchfield scored 2 runs and stole 4 bases while Daphney Sapp and Kacey Firlein combined on a 4-hitter in the circle. MOT Charter advances to the next round Thursday and will face the third-seeded Caravel Buccaneers.
Finally, the closest game of the day took place in Milford as the Bucs scored twice in the 6th inning to break a 3-3 tie and advance with a 5-3 win against Woodbridge. Khyliah Reynolds struck out 13 and allowed just one walk to get the win. Reynolds also had a hit and 2 RBIâs. Ashley Bullock had a 2-run triple and Rayla Burris collected 2 hits for Milford. Payton Keeler smacked 2 doubles for the Blue Raiders. She and Taylor Scott paced Woodbridge with 3 hits each while Amiah Tucker added 2 hits. Milford will face the #1 seed Sussex Central in the next round.
Glenn Frazer
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