Sports & Recreation
Ocean City Today May 20, 2022
Page 66
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PHOTO COURTESY KATIE GRIFFIN
The Stephen Decatur softball team edged out the Crofton Cardinals, 3-2, on Wednesday in Berlin to win the program’s first regional title since 1991.
Decatur softball team wins first regional title since ’91 By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (May 20, 2022) The Stephen Decatur softball team edged out the Crofton Cardinals, 3-2, on Wednesday in Berlin to win the program’s first regional title since 1991. “And I feel like we’re not done yet. We’re ready to keep it going,” said Decatur Coach Scott Kurtz. “The girls were elated. To do something that hasn’t been done in that long is a great accomplishment.” Second-seeded Decatur hosted No. 5 Crofton for the MPSSAA 3A South Region II championship. “We knew they had two good pitchers. It was the first time we saw a lefty all year,” Kurtz said. The Lady Seahawks put two runs on the board in the bottom of the second inning. “We started slow but then we had a big second inning - lots of aggressive base running. They were trying to make a play and it worked out,” Kurtz said. The visiting Cardinals scored one in the fourth and another in the fifth to tie it up. “They chipped away and when they switched pitchers we couldn’t get anything going,” Kurtz said. Freshman Ryleigh Smith’s solo home run broke the 2-2 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning and Decatur
held on for the victory. “She came up big when we needed her,” Kurtz said. “Different girls came up big at different times. We found a way as a team to win the game.” The Seahawks only had three hits in the game. Smith had one, and sophomore Leah Simpson (one RBI) and junior Sarah Smith had the other two. Senior Skylar Griffin pitched all seven innings. She struck out 14, walked four, gave up five hits and allowed two runs. Decatur advanced to the regional finals with a 10-0, five-inning shutout the day before over the No. 3 Arundel Wildcats in Berlin. “We jumped on them early and kept it going,” Kurtz said. “Any time you can put the ball in play things are going to go your way.” Decatur scored five runs in the first, one in the second and two in both the third and fourth innings. “We got good hits to generate those five runs in the first,” Kurtz said. “It was a good all-around hitting day.” Ryleigh Smith and freshman Madison McGinnis chipped in with two hits and two RBIs apiece. Freshman Ava Snelsire and senior Alexa Eisemann contributed with two hits and one RBI apiece. Griffin struck out 10, walked one
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Stephen Decatur freshman Madison McGinnis makes contact with the ball during the MPSSAA 3A South Region II semifinal game in Berlin on Tuesday. Decatur won, 10-0.
and allowed only one hit. “We played very well. I don’t think they hit the ball out of the infield until the end of the game,” Kurtz said. “Skylar pitched well and kept them off balance.” The top eight regional teams were reseeded based on their records. “There’s eight regional champions, so there’s no easy teams left. No matter who we play it will be a battle,” Kurtz said. Decatur received the No. 2 seed and will host the No. 7 Franklin Indians, the 3A North Region I champs, today, Friday at 4 p.m.
Decatur tennis program brings home region title By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (May 20, 2022) The Stephen Decatur tennis program captured its first regional championship title since 1994 earlier this week in Cambridge. According to coaches Jamie See FISHER Page 67
