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District 3 champs on quest for World Series title

Lower Sussex opens international tournament with a win
Delaware’s Cierra Lewis flexes following her solo home run in the bottom of the third inning as her teammates wait to congratulate her. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
August 3, 2023

Lower Sussex Little League is not only hosting the 2023 Senior League Softball World Series, but it is also participating in the tournament as the champions of Delaware’s District 3. The 2022 runners-up once again have title ambitions. With eight players from last year’s team returning, the experienced team understands what it takes to win a championship.

After winning the opening game against Pennsville, N.J., by a score of 8-5 July 31, the girls suffered a 5-1 defeat Aug. 1 against the Waco-based defending champions representing the Southwest. The following day, Aug. 2, Delaware came up short in a comeback attempt against the Latin American champions from Puerto Rico, losing 6-5. With Southwest the only undefeated team in Pool A and each squad winning at least one, Delaware’s 1-2 record going into the final game – played after deadline Aug. 3 – will mean they need to win to secure a spot in single-elimination knockout round beginning Friday, Aug. 4. Depending on their opponent's results, they could finish pool play as high as second or as low as fourth place.

Taking the circle for Team Delaware in its first three games has been Selbyville Middle rising eighth-grader Cierra Lewis. A legacy of sorts, both of her sisters participated in the tournament with her last year. Through 20 frames, Lewis has accumulated a 2.45 ERA while holding opponents to a .228 batting average and striking out 22. Helping herself out offensively, Lewis has a .444 batting average and leads the team with a 1.278 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. Delaware’s first run of the tournament came thanks to a Lewis solo home run in the third inning. 

“It was exciting to hit a home run in the opening game because my sister [Laniya] did the same thing last year and it was against East too,” Lewis said.

One of the younger players on the team, Lewis credits confidence in the teammates behind her as the reason why she remains poised in the pitching circle. Two of those teammates are sisters Bailey and Ashlyn Ullman. The latter plays the hot corner for Delaware, while the former is Lewis’ catcher. Both Ullman girls possess defensive and offensive prowess. Bailey is tied for the team lead in hits with five, including three doubles, and second on the team with three runs scored. Ashlyn leads the squad in RBIs and walks. Bailey has 1.182 OPS, while Ashlyn has a .935 OPS, good for second and fourth on the team, respectively.

Shortstop Sophie Scurri has been on an offensive tear herself, leading the team with four runs scored and tied with Bailey for the team lead in hits with five. Her 1.045 OPS is good for third on the team through three games. Rounding out the top six offensive starters for Delaware are second baseman Jillian Coulbourn with a .788 OPS and centerfielder Maci Blades with a .730 OPS.

If the team secures a win against Asia-Pacific in the final game of group play, its Aug. 4 game could be at 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Should they continue to win, the title game will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 6 at the Pyle Center in Roxana.

 

Delaware’s Cierra Lewis fires in a strike during the opening game of the 2023 Senior League Softball World Series July 31 at the Pyle Center in Roxana.
Delaware’s Gracie Hoban prepares to catch the first out in the top of the second inning during the opening game against Pennsville Little League.
Delaware’s Maci Blades collects one of her two hits July 31. Having walked twice in her other two plate appearances, the gifted centerfielder was perfect to start the tournament.
Flashing some leather to go along with her day at the plate, Delaware’s Maci Blades snags a well-driven ball July 31.
Officials review whether the East catcher stepped on home before throwing to first during a bases-loaded bunt attempt July 31. Initially ruled a single out at first, the review revealed it was in fact an inning-ending double play.
Delaware’s Bailey Ullman hustles to catch the second out of the top of the sixth of the opening game. There’s a thought that a great defensive play can lead to a big hit. It seems the player always bats the next half-inning.
Delaware catcher Bailey Ullman notched a double July 31 that put her and Sophie Scurri in scoring position in the bottom of the sixth after Ullman made a clutch catch in the top of the sixth.
Delaware’s Sophie Scurri scurries to third base during Bailey Ullman’s sixth-inning double. Scurri went 4-for-4 in the opening game, scoring twice and driving in two runs from the leadoff spot.
Delaware’s Cierra Lewis collects one of seven strikeouts during the Aug. 1 game against the Southwest squad from Waco, Texas. She was 1-for-3 at the plate.
Team Delaware huddles around coach Sarah Hoban during a tense Aug. 1 game against Southwest. Hogan’s knowledge of the game is on full display and she has an impressive way of holding players accountable while also encouraging them.
The bleachers were full and fans wrapped around the Lyons Field fence Aug. 1 as family and friends of Team Delaware cheered on their girls. Right fielder Katie McHale was one of the players to have signs of personal encouragement displayed.
Delaware second baseman Jillian Coulbourn stretches while covering first to secure the second out of the third inning Aug. 1.
Delaware third baseman Ashlyn Ullman scoops a grounder and fires it over to first to get the final out of the third inning Aug. 1.
Jillian Coulbourn celebrates one of her two singles during the Aug. 1 game against Southwest. Leading the team in hits during the game, she was 2-for-2 with a walk.
Delaware third baseman Ashlyn Ullman catches a dart from her sister Bailey to tag out Southwest’s KyLi Alonzo and end the top of the seventh inning Aug. 1.
Delaware’s Jazz Mayfield advances from second to third Aug. 1 in the seventh inning against Southwest. Delaware threatened to add more, but could not convert and lost 5-1 to the defending champions.

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