BRANDYWINE HUNDRED – If you don’t mind a little drama, some fireworks and a steady drizzle, north Wilmington was the place for you on May 22. That is where Saint Mark’s built a big lead, then watched Concord chip away and nearly complete the comeback in a 12-11 Spartans win in the second round of the DIAA softball tournament.
The Spartans, who are the ninth seed, will travel to No. 1 Caravel for a quarterfinal matchup. That game is currently scheduled for Tuesday in Bear at 5 p.m.
This game at eighth-seeded Concord was a rematch of a regular-season game won comfortably by the Spartans on April 29. It looked for a while like Saint Mark’s would again win by a big margin, but that certainly was not the case.
The first half of the game belonged to the Spartans’ bats. They scored multiple runs in each of the first, second and fourth innings.
Kimorah Neal and Tanai Tippens both walked to start the game, and after a strikeout, the would score on a three-run home run from freshman Bella Holl (St. Joseph Parish, Middletown). Saint Mark’s added two more in the second. Bella Flurie walked with one out, and after Raiders pitcher Samantha Hook got the second out on a popup, Tippens drove a ball over the fence in left to make it 5-2 Spartans.
The Spartans threatened to run away with the game with a big fourth inning. Gabby Saggione and Flurie singled, and a sacrifice bunt moved them to third and second base, respectively. Tippens grounded out, scoring Saggione, but the Raiders could see their way out of a big inning. That did not happen, however.
Gracie Riccio was hit by a pitch, and Holl smacked her second dinger of the afternoon, another three-run blast, increasing the lead to 9-2. Karlee Cathcart then singled and Juia Thomas walked. Another walk loaded the bases, and Saggione singled Cathcart and Thomas home, extending the advantage to nine runs.
Concord began its comeback effort in their half of the fourth. Allison Derle walked to open the frame, and with one out, Lilliana Meyers singled. A long double to center by Morgyn Cook scored both runners, and Cook would score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ciara Mullenix.
The Spartans added a run in the fifth, a run the Raiders matched in their half of the sixth on a solo home run by Cook. Another batter, Keira Pyle, narrowly missed a three-run homer when her shot to left went foul. Saint Mark’s took a 12-6 lead into the bottom of the seventh, three outs away from returning to the quarterfinals after falling in the second round last season. They nearly didn’t get there.
Saggione retired the first batter of the inning, but Derle singled with one out, and Sarah Dawson walked. That brought Meyers to the plate, and she smoked a ball to right field for a three-run homer, cutting the lead in half. Cook was hit by a pitch, and Lily Acquarola singled to left, bringing the tying run to the plate. The batter, Mullenix, doubled to left, scoring Cook and putting runners at second and third.
Saggione then coaxed a ground ball to first by Katalena Watson. Cathcart fielded the ball and stepped on first for the second out. The runner at second was caught between second and third as Acquarola scored, but Neal was able to throw to Riccio at third to tag out Mullenix for the final out.
Holl led the Spartans’ offensive assault with the two home runs and a single, two runs scored and six driven in. Tippens had a homer and was on base three times, scoring each time. Bella Flurie reached four times and scored twice. Saggione had two hits, scored and had an RBI. In the circle, Saggione struck out five. Saint Mark’s improved to 12-6. They met Caravel on May 7, a 9-2 Buccaneers win.
For the Raiders, Meyers had four hits, including her home run, scored three times and knocked in three. Acquarola had three singles and scored twice, and Cook was on base three times, driving in three and scoring three runs. Concord finished the season 14-5.
Photos by Mike Lang.
