Sports

Sports & Recreation www.oceancitytoday.com May 20, 2022 Page 66

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.

PHOTO COURTESY KATIE GRIFFIN

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

MAY 20, 2022 Fisher, Janney and Beck to compete in state tourney

Continued from Page 66 Greenwood and Steve Berquist, it was the first time in the program’s history that Decatur players were represented in all five events – boys’ and girls’ singles, doubles and mixed doubles competitions.

“It’s been a very successful year so far,” Greenwood said. “I’m very pleased with the performance the last two days.”

“It’s very exciting. It’s the first time since 1994, which is crazy,” Berquist added. “They played fantastic. They showed up and played to the best of their ability and at the top of their game to make it to the championship.”

First-round MPSSAA 2A East Region action and the semifinal rounds took place on Tuesday.

Players were randomly seeded and several Decatur athletes received first-round byes.

Senior captain Noah Fisher shut out his first-round singles opponent, 6-0, 6-0.

Senior captain Ben Johnson and junior Sarah Tarr topped their mixed doubles competition, 6-0, 62.

Fisher dominated his singles opponent in the semifinal round, 6-0, 6-0.

Sophomores Matt Beck and David Janney won their doubles match, 75, 6-3.

Freshmen Anika Karli and Emily Ferguson outscored their semifinals doubles competition, 6-1, 6-0.

Johnson and Tarr topped their mixed doubles opponents, 6-4, 6-2.

Junior Ridgley Lake took down her singles opponent, 6-1, 6-2.

The final rounds were played on Wednesday.

“We played some good, stiff competition [on Wednesday],” Greenwood said.

Fisher earned a 6-0, 6-0 victory at singles in the finals.

Beck and Janney edged out their doubles competition, 6-1, 6-6 (8-6 tiebreaker).

Ferguson and Karli lost their doubles final, 4-6, 5-7, and Lake fell to her opponent, 3-6, 2-6.

Tarr and Johnson came up a bit short in their mixed doubles semifinal round, 6-4, 3-6 (8-10 super tiebreaker).

Fisher, and Beck/Janney are now headed to states.

The state quarterfinals will take place in Columbia at Wilde Lake Tennis Center on Thursday. The top players will advance to the state finals two days later.

PHOTO COURTESY STEVE BERQUIST The Stephen Decatur tennis program captured its first regional championship title since 1994 earlier this week in Cambridge.

Worcester Prep boys’ lax squad ESIAC champions

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (May 20, 2022) The Worcester Prep boys’ lacrosse team outscored the Gunston School Herons, 21-10, last Friday on the Mallards’ Senior Day in Berlin to capture back-to-back Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championships.

“With the Mallards playing the Herons for the third time this season, coaches in all sports, at all levels, know that it is often difficult to beat a team three times in the same season. The Worcester Prep team was reminded of that in a pregame talk the day before,” said Prep Coach Drew Haugh. “They were also reminded that just this past week, an 80-1 shot horse won the Kentucky Derby. So with Friday the 13th, playing a team for the third time, and an 80-1 shot winning a horse race, we implored the team to come out of the gates with a massive head of steam, and to leave nothing to chance. The Mallards followed the game plan and came out scoring early and often.”

Thirty-five seconds into the game, long stick midfielder, sophomore Cole Campbell, scored. Twenty-five seconds later, freshman Ryan Mann made it 2-0.

Worcester led 8-0 at the end of the first quarter. At halftime, the Berlin squad was up 11-2.

“We told our guys to not rest on See SENIOR Page 68

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LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY The Worcester Prep boys’ lacrosse team outscored the Gunston School Herons, 21-10, last Friday to capture back-to-back Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championships.

Senior Brice Richins named Player of the Yr.

Continued from Page 67 the score. We told them we wanted to deliver the knockout blow in the third quarter, and that they did,” Haugh said.

After three quarters, the Mallards held an 18-6 advantage.

“It was a big team win and several players had exceptional games,” Haugh said.

Junior captains Griffin Jones (two assists) and Jack Gardner (one assist) led Worcester with seven goals apiece. Mann tallied four goals and two assists.

Campbell, senior Tristan Weinstein (two assists) and sophomore Dylan McGovern (one assist) scored one goal each.

Senior captain, goalie Bennett Tinkler, recorded 13 saves.

Weinstein and senior Mike Wehberg dominated face-offs.

“Lacrosse coaches know how important it is to have a strong face-off man and top-of-the-line goalie,” Haugh said. “We have both, and with Tristan and Mike at the center X, they gobbled up 25 wins to only three losses. That is a lot of possessions.”

Worcester ended the season with an 11-3 record.

“It was a great season. We had a lot of fun,” Haugh said. “Being just my second year, I think they were more comfortable with me, and I was much more comfortable with them.”

After the game the All-Conference Team recipients were announced. Tinkler, McGovern, Gardner, Jones, senior Anders Taylor and senior captain Brice Richins were recognized for their season performances.

Wehberg earned honorable mention accolades.

Jones led the team this season with 49 goals and 47 assists. Gardner finished with 44 goals and 24 assists and Mann tallied 34 goals and 10 assists. Tinkler recorded 136 saves for the season.

Richins was named ESIAC Player of the Year.

“It’s really exciting. I’ve been working toward just being a great player and great athlete overall my entire high school career,” Richins said. “To end it off like this with a championship win and player of the year just means tons to me.

“It’s hard work, dedication – I’ve always worked hard – and also just trying to get my teammates better,” he added. “I feel like that’s a big part of this award, just being a great leader for my team and helping them get better every day.”

Richins is looking forward to playing Division I lacrosse at High Point University in North Carolina.

“I had a great time here at Worcester and a great career. I’m super pumped to play Division I at High Point,” he said.

The team will graduate six seniors.

“The six seniors we are losing puts a big hole in so many areas of the field. And for the coaches, it is hard to see them go,” Haugh said. “It’s like watching six of your sons leave for college. There was a lot of love on this team – player to player, player to coach, coach to player, and coach to coach. We make it a point to tell them we love them, whatever happens in the game. You just hate to see the season end. It goes way too quick.”

Brenner high jump champ, Mielnik pole vault winner

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (May 20, 2022) The Stephen Decatur girls’ outdoor track and field team came in sixth place, while the boys’ squad finished in 14th during last Friday’s Bayside Conference championship meet in Cambridge.

“Our teams had some stiff competition at the Bayside meet,” said Decatur Coach Brenda Hommel. “It was a tough meet after a week of crazy weather on the Eastern Shore that kept us from having quality practices.”

Parkside won the girls’ competition, scoring 133.5 points. Cambridge was second (89) followed by Kent Island (82), North Caroline (73), James M. Bennett (65) and Decatur (44).

Decatur athletes who scored points for the team for placing eighth or better were: juniors Summer Brenner (high jump, first, 4 feet 10 inches *Bayside champion), Mayah Garner (high jump, second, 4 feet 10 inches), Carolina Novelli (3,200-meter run, sixth, 14:14.21) and Breanne Ferguson (long jump, seventh, 15 feet .25 inches); sophomores Macy Woroniecki (1,600-meter run, fifth, 6:07.33; 800-meter run, seventh, 2:49.11) and Ny’Ashia Harper (400meter dash, sixth, 1:07.3); and freshman Amber Marshall (3,200-meter run, fourth, 13:59.02).

Ferguson, Woroniecki, Novelli and Marshall took third in the 3,200meter relay race (11:12.85).

The 400-meter relay team of Garner, juniors Macy and Leah Seitz and senior Miah Schwind crossed the finish line in eighth place (56.79 seconds).

“Our girls’ distance runners did not perform as well as usual due to some illness on the team,” Hommel said. “I was pleased to see Summer Brenner and Mayah Garner win first and second places in the high jump. If they do as well or better at the regional meet they may have a chance at going to states.”

Kent Island won the boys’ competition, racking up 99 points. Snow Hill was runner-up with 83 points, followed by Cambridge in third (74).

Decatur tallied 20 points finishing in 14th place.

Scoring points for the Seahawk squad for placing eighth or better were: seniors Owen Mielnik (pole vault, first, 13 feet 6 inches *Bayside champion), Zimere Handy (high jump, sixth, 5 feet 6 inches) and RJ Brittingham (shot put, eighth, 38 feet 3.25 inches); junior Ziquase Duffy (long jump, eighth, 18 feet 11.25 inches); and sophomore Ethan Justice (3,200-meter run, seventh, 11:16.42; 1,600-meter run, eighth, 5:00.93).

Duffy, Handy, and juniors Jaden Holland and Conner Herr placed seventh in the 400-meter relay race (46.63 seconds).

“Our boys’ team also did not perform as well as expected,” Hommel said. “Owen Mielnik came through with a first-place finish in the pole vault clearing 13’ 6,”’ Hommel said. Decatur is now competing in the two-day 3A South Regional meet. The first day of the competition was Wednesday. The event will wrap up on Friday in Chesapeake, Maryland. “The 3A South region is very competitive with some very well developed teams. My hope is that my athletes end the season on a high note and are able to PR at the regional meet, and if we have a few make it to the state meet that will be extra special,” Hommel said. “I expect that Owen Mielnik will make it to states in the pole vault as he is ranked first in the region and Summer Brenner and Mayah Garner also have a chance to make it in the high jump. I am also pulling for Ziquase Duffy in the long jump and Ethan Justice in the 800m run to possibly advance to the state meet.”

The top two individuals and first- and second-place relay teams in each event will qualify for the state championship meet next weekend. In addition, the next top eight times or marks from all regions in a classification will advance to state meet, as well as individual competitors or relay teams who, in their region meet final, achieve the advancement standards, will also advance.

PHOTO COURTESY BRENDA HOMMEL Stephen Decatur junior Summer Brenner won the high jump event and senior Owen Mielnik came in first place in the pole vault competition during last Friday’s Bayside Conference championship meet in Cambridge.

Williams: We will be back stronger next year

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (May 20, 2022) The Worcester Prep girls’ lacrosse team never gave up despite trailing the Saints Peter and Paul Sabres by several goals during last Friday’s Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference championship in Easton.

“I thought they played hard the entire game, and the game in my mind was a lot closer than the score,” Prep Coach Chris Williams said after the 20-2 loss. “We improved every game this season vs SPP. Our defense made adjustments to make things more difficult for them, and our offense generated many scoring chances.

“But ultimately, their team was just stronger all around,” he continued. “They won 21 out of 24 draw controls, so we were on defense most of the game. I give our defense a lot of credit for holding them as much as they did.”

Freshman Nazli Unal scored both Worcester goals. Sophomore captain, goalie Caitlin Williams, recorded 17 saves.

Worcester finished the season with a 6-11 record.

“The season had its ups and downs, as we battled injury and illness throughout,” Williams said. “We were missing key players for many games. But, we are also a young team and in many games nine of the 12 girls on the field were underclassmen.”

One of the highlights of the season, Williams said, was when senior captain Myranda Beebe scored her 100th career goal.

Beebe finished the season with 43 goals and eight assists. She tallied 115 over three seasons (2019, 2021 and 2022), since 2020 activities were canceled because of covid.

Another milestone was Caitlin Williams reaching 173 saves for the season. She has 302 overall saves in her career, so far.

“Caitlin’s 173 saves this season is a new school single season save record,” Coach Williams, who is also her father, said.

Beebe led the team this season in goals (43).

Beebe and Williams both earned All-Conference accolades, along with teammates, junior captain Caitlyn Hoen, freshman Emma Zajdel and sophomore Claire Windrow.

Sophomore Reagan Sterrs received honorable mention accolades.

The team will graduate five players.

“Graduating [are] Myranda Beebe, Brooke Emeigh, Megan Waller, Anna Carpenter and Hannah Brasure (injured, manager),” Williams said. “Myranda has been the leading scorer and MVP the past

two seasons, so there will be big shoes to fill with her leaving. But, we have a strong eighth grade class coming up, and Ansley Gardner should return from injury to fill in. Brooke was a starter on attack, Anna helped off the bench on attack, and Megan was the first sub in for defense. Hannah is the manager due to injury that kept her from playing.” Williams said the girls gained experience this season, adding “I know we will be back stronger next year.” “We will miss our seniors, but our young players will be ready to take Chris Williams the next step,” he said. “I was proud of how much they improved throughout the year, and I challenged them to work harder than ever in the offseason on both stick skills and fitness so we can come back stronger and faster. We are already planning ways to keep them working hard on their own before we get back on the field next March. These girls are ready to take the next step.”

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Ocean City Today Girls come together, learn from mistakes this season

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (May 20, 2022) The Stephen Decatur girls’ lacrosse team battled hard with the North Caroline Bulldogs last Friday in Ridgely, but came up one goal short of advancing in the MPSSAA 2A East Region.

“I think the girls played so incredibly hard and fought to the very end. They were fighting to keep their season alive and unfortunately, some of our shots and defensive stops didn’t go our way,” Decatur Coach Lindsay Owens said after the 10-9 loss. “It was a close game the entire time with no more than one- or two-goal differentials.”

Both teams received first-round byes. North Caroline, the No. 2 seed, led third-seeded Decatur, 5-4, at halftime.

“Overall, I was very proud of their effort. They left it on the field,” Owens said.

Junior Audrey Mumford scored six

of Decatur’s nine goals. Junior Mia Kemp, senior Hannah Short and sophomore Sadie Kauffman scored one each. Senior goalie Ryleigh Cunnane stopped six shots. Decatur finished the season with a 7-7 overall record. “Overall, our season was a great learning experience. We started out rough, with some tough losses to top teams, but we learned from our mistakes and came together as a team when it counted most,” Owens said. “It wasn’t the ending we were all hopLindsay Owens ing for, but many great lessons were learned and we’re ready to fight even harder next season. “I’m most proud of the program and the girls for being involved in the community and giving back when it mattered most. To me, that beats a winning or losing record any day,” she added. The team will graduate 10 seniors. “Ninety percent of our defense will be graduating, so we will be looking to fill in a lot of spots there,” Owens said. “On attack, we will be losing three main seniors, so we will be looking for people to step up next year.”

Spec Tennis Club to present Family Fun Night, Friday

(May 20, 2022) The Spec Tennis Club of Ocean Pines will host a Friday Family Fun Night on May 20, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Ocean Pines Racquet Center.

The cost is $12 per court and includes instruction and equipment for families of up to five players, ages 4 and up. All abilities are welcome, but at least one adult must be present at each court.

Organizer Karen Kaplan said Spec Tennis is played on smaller, fenced-in courts. Players use paddles and a low-compression tennis ball.

“Spec Tennis is a new paddle sport that is very easy to learn and play on the small, fenced platform courts,” she said. “It’s a great way for a family to learn and play together and, as it gets dark, we will play under the lights.

Reservations are required. To reserve a court, contact the Spec Tennis Club of Ocean Pines at 516508-0313 or email oppaddle2020@gmail.com.

Stephen Decatur Seahawks football with present Gridiron Club, Monday, May 23 to Friday, May 27, from 3-4:30 p.m.

The drills and skills training activity is open to seventh and eighth graders. It will be conducted by Decatur varsity football team Head Coach Jake Coleman and staff at Stephen Decatur Middle School.

Permission slips are available in the middle school office. Those who do not attend the middle school can sign up on the Decatur football Facebook page.

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