Caravel’s Elizabeth Smith (19) with a throw to first base in their win over Lake Forest.
BEAR—When Caravel Academy played Caesar Rodney in the quarterfinals the DIAA Softball state tournament last year, the Buccaneers needed extra innings to dispatch the Riders.
In this year’s quarterfinal matchup between the two teams, however, top-seeded Caravel wasted no time in taking control of the game with three runs in the first en route to a 10-0 five-inning victory Tuesday over Caesar Rodney afternoon.
“In the first inning, we really had to bring the energy because energy was going to produce the outcome for us,” the Buccaneers’ Sam Esper said. “We came in trying to get up as quick as we could.”
“It felt really good. We were really pumped right from the beginning,” said Buccaneer pitcher Holly Brooks. “We knew we had to jump on this team. I’m just really proud of them. We jumped on them and never let up.”
After loading the bases win no outs in the bottom of the first, it appeared the Buccaneers would leave the inning empty-handed as a strikeout and fielder’s choice at home sent Grace Walker to the plate with two outs. Walker came through with a single to left to drive in one, and Emily Proffitt followed with a two-run single to give Caravel a 3-0 lead.
The Buccaneers broke the game open in the fourth with five more runs. After Caravel scored its’ first two runs of the frame due to a pair of Caesar Rodney errors, an Alexa Proffitt double halted two and a Brooks single added one more to make it 8-0.
One-inning later, Esper hit a seeing-eyed single up the middle to plate Walker and Emily Proffitt to clinch the victory a berth in the semifinals for the Buccaneers, who hope the way they played against the Riders continues into their semifinal match-up against Charter School of Wilmington Thursday.
“It’s a really good win. I think it propels us into the next game,” Brooks said. “I think if we keep playing our game and keep coming out strong every time, playing softball, I think we’re going to do great.”
Brooks made sure Caravel’s lead was never threatened as she turned in a command performance as she struck out six batters in five shutout innings while giving up one hit and walking two.
“She moves it in and out, and she likes to get ahead,” Caesar Rodney head coach Skye Boris said of Brooks’ performance. “So, if you don’t jump on that first pitch, you’re really going to struggle, and once she gets ahead, she’s going to throw the junk and make you chase.”