Cape baseball represents at Carpenter Cup

Squad falls to Lehigh Valley at Citizens Bank Park

Cape junior Robbie Baxley, left, and recent grad Luke Smailer represent the Vikings in the 34th annual Carpenter Cup at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

June 18, 2019

Recent Cape Henlopen grad Luke Smailer and junior teammate Robbie Baxley played with the Delaware South team in the 34th annual Carpenter Cup baseball tournament held in Philadelphia June 10-19. The squad reached the June 17 semifinals at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, before losing 7-6 to the team from Lehigh Valley, Pa. Lehigh Valley plays Burlington County in the finals Tuesday, June 18.

The Carpenter Cup provides the best players in the tri-state area one more opportunity to be the boys of summer before they go to college or report to their summer jobs. It also gave them the feeling of being a Major League player for a game at big league stadium.

Delaware South defeated Delaware North 7-3 and Inter-AC/Independents 6-1 at FDR Park to reach the semifinals in the 16-team bracket. This was the second time in the last three years for Delaware South to reach the semifinals of the Carpenter Cup.

Delaware South held a 5-1 lead going onto the top of the fifth inning, when Lehigh Valley scored four runs to tie it at 5-5.

After nearly a hour rain delay, the Delaware South took back the lead in the bottom of the seventh when Smailer scored on an RBI single by Tech’s Jason Shockley. Lehigh Valley scored two in the eighth and held on to take the 7-6 victory.

Caesar Rodney’s Ryan Rigby went 2-for-3 with two RBIs to lead the Delaware South squad. Shockley went 2-for-3 on the day. Baxley, Dover’s Nate Turner and Lake Forest’s Nathan McGray all had RBI singles.

“It was really cool to represent Cape on the Delaware South team,” said Smailer. “I had a great opportunity that I didn’t think I’d ever have. To play with the guys that I played against all my career was pretty special.”

“It was a really fun playing with the best players in the state,” said Baxley. “I felt excited coming into the game and getting a hit was icing on the cake. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The coaches also did a great job with the team.”

“Got to give credit to Lehigh Valley for capitalizing on their opportunities,” said Delaware South coach and Milford skipper Nick Brannan. “A lot of all-star teams lack cohesion. Delaware South demonstrated a true team mentality throughout the tournament, which was why we were able to end up at the Bank. Tournaments like these are truly about the participants though. Connecting kids who have competed with each other since Little League and having them represent Delaware is profoundly meaningful.”

Cape junior Robbie Baxley, left, and recent grad Luke Smailer represent the Vikings in the 34th annual Carpenter Cup at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Cape’s Luke Smailer throws to first to attempt to get a Lehigh Valley runner.

Cape rising senior Robbie Baxley gets a hit and drives in a run in the second inning.

Milford’s Brock Hilligoss started and went three innings for Delaware South. He gave up a lead-off single, then shut down the Lehigh Valley team with four strikeouts.

Sussex Tech’s Alex Adams knocks down and stops a hot shot at short.

Caesar Rodney’s Ryan Rigby dives safely into third.

Delaware South representatives from the Henlopen Conference were (l-r) Sussex Tech’s Jason Shockley, Dover’s Nathan Turner, Dover’s Alec Rodriguez, Sussex Tech’s Ethan Ward, Sussex Tech’s Alex Adams, Cape’s Robbie Baxley, Dover’s Michael Carrington, Cape’s Luke Smailer, Caesar Rodney’s Brandon Hatch, Dover’s Dominic Velazquez, Caesar Rodney’s Ryan Rigby, Milford’s Dylan Layton and Sussex Tech’s Bobby Locklear. Missing from the picture are Milford’s Brock Hilligoss and Chad Reichhold, and Sussex Tech’s Matt Warrington who were pitching in the bullpen.

Representing the Milford Bucs were (l-r) assistant coach Mike Casale, Brock Hilligoss, Chad Reichhold, Dylan Laytonb and Milord head coach Nick Brannan.