Cape softball has a new coach and new outlook for 2023
The Cape softball squad has a new/old face at the front this season, as longtime assistant Mike Tkach has taken the helm from Shannon Timmons, who resigned after last season. Tkach brings with him assistants Chuck Hudson and Chad Heers.
Tkach came to Cape in 2017 after stints at Milford, where he won a football state championship in 2008, and Caesar Rodney. He has coached football for the Vikings under coaches Bill Collick and J.D. Maull, and he has been Shannon Timmons’ assistant for the past five years, coaching outfielders and first base during games.
“I am very excited for this upcoming season,” said Tkach. “We have our whole team back from last year and we’re hoping to build off of what that team did. We are fortunate to have a nice mixture of experience from true legitimate starters, and role players who will give us depth and will produce when called upon.”
The Vikings went 7-10 in 2022, losing in the first round of the state tournament.
“I am hoping to use a three-headed monster approach to pitching by using Bri Windish, Sophia Tighe and Abby Marsh, with Jay’lyn Slater being a wall and a force behind the plate,” said Tkach.
The infield returns Alivia Heers, Ava Calciano, Milana Buehler and Windish. Buehler and Calciano can change easily between shortstop and second base. Abi Crouch will help the Cape team with her hitting and base running when needed. Hayden Hudson, coming off a strong basketball season, will be vying for an infield position.
The outfield has two starters returning in Kenna Justice and Ava Simeone, along with Natalia Roundtree, Reagan Buehler and Eden Frederick adding speed and depth to the squad.
“We plan to be aggressive at the plate as well as with base running,” said Tkach. “Our goal early on with scrimmages is to get looks at kids and put them in different positions, so if we get some injuries we’ll have options to put our best nine on the field. Our next goal is to come together as a team, trust and depend on each other, and ultimately win ball games. Along the way, have some fun and push toward winning a championship.
“The program is in a good place right now, from JV up to varsity. Hopefully we can take it to another level. We are very honored to now be playing on Bill Cordrey Field. It has been an honor getting to know him a little bit over the last couple of years and hearing stories of how he impacted so many lives of the girls he coached. We are very honored to play and do our best every time we take the field.”
The Vikings open the regular season Thursday, March 23, at Caesar Rodney.
