Seahawks’ strong start against IR not enough in 17-6 loss

Sussex Academy players knew they needed to come out strong March 31 against a talented Indian River baseball team. The Seahawks scored at least one run in each of the first four innings, but ultimately it wasn’t enough, as the Indians’ offense was too powerful in a 17-6 win. 

Emerson Layton led off the game with a hard-hit line drive to the wall that was caught by the left fielder.

“I thought he set the tempo to have some good at-bats,” said coach Doug Nowell.

Mason Glover followed it up with a solo home run. Matt Brittingham then walked ahead of a Ben Tollett single. An error off a ball hit by Victor Goodhue loaded the bases up for the Seahawks. Sophomore Derek Sachs put the ball in play with a hybrid bunt to third base to score Brittingham, and advance Tollett and Goodhue.

IR cut the Seahawks' 2-0 lead in half in the top of the second inning, but Sussex Academy was undeterred and kept the pressure up with two more runs in the bottom half of the inning. 

The visitors retaliated by staging an eight-run third inning to take a 9-4 lead. The Seahawks scored a run each in the third and fourth innings, but IR tacked on two more runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth and seventh innings for the 17-6 victory.

“I have the utmost respect for IR; their players play the game the right way, and it's a joy to watch those guys play,” Nowell said. “I root for that team and their coaching staff – they do a phenomenal job – but I wanted to see a little bit more fight against a top-echelon team.”

The loss moves the Seahawks to 2-1 after they opened the season with a 9-8 walk-off win over Seaford and destroyed St. Andrew’s 19-7.

Polytech will welcome Sussex Academy at 4:15 p.m., Thursday, April 3.