Big sixth inning propels Cape softball past Raiders

The Cape softball team used a six-run sixth inning to capture a 12-9 victory over Woodbridge April 13 at Bill Cordrey Field.

After falling behind 8-4 in the fourth, the Vikings scored two to trim the lead to 8-6. The Raiders added to their tally, holding a 9-6 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth. That’s when the Vikings’ fireworks ignited.

A single by Kenna Justice started the rally. Milena Buehler singled, and both runners moved up to second and third on a bad throw. Bri Windish took an outside fastball and knocked a two-run single to bring the score to 9-8.

Abby Marsh and Ava Calciano walked to load the bases. Alivia Heers stepped to the plate and slammed a hot shot between the legs of the shortstop that went all the way to the outfield fence, scoring three runs and making it 11-9. The Vikings added another run on an RBI ground out by Jay’Lyn Slater to get to 12-9 and seal the deal for the game.

Marsh came in from the bullpen in the fifth to shut down the Raiders, putting five batters in the book via the strikeout. 

“I wasn’t stressed coming in down by four runs,” said Marsh. “I know I have my team behind me to make the plays.“

“I thought we showed a lot of fight,” said Cape coach Mike Tkach. “We got down but kept chipping away at their lead and opened it up in the sixth. We are getting a lot of contributions from so many different people. It was nice getting Alivia [Heers] back from her ankle injury. Defensively, we had solid fielding and pitching.”

The Vikings had another solid game against Conwell-Egan Catholic out of Pennsylvania April 15, winning 7-2. Marsh contributed a strong pitching performance. The team had solid defense behind her and the bats were hot on offense. Heers went yard in the game. Slater continued to perform solidly beside and behind the plate.

The Vikings travel to Caravel Tuesday, April 18, to face the Bucs, then return home Thursday, April 20, to play Sussex Central.