Share: 

Cape wins baseball state title

Vikings defeat Appoquinimink 4-1 at Frawley Stadium
Cape celebrates its DIAA state championship win over Appoquinimink. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
June 6, 2022

Disney couldn't have written the script any better June 6, as Cape head coach Ben Evick called on his son Brogan, just back from serious shoulder surgery, to come in from the bullpen in the seventh inning to shut down the Apppoquinmink bats and preserve the Vikings' 4-1 DIAA state championship victory.

"After my surgery, I was ready to quit the game," said an emotional Brogan Evick. "It was really rough. I thought a lot about it. My pitching coach Griffin Kammerer told me before I went out to the mound to just think about where I was in August and where I am now. I threw with him every day. He got me back to where I am today. And we freaking won. It's awesome."

Cape took an early 1-0 lead in the third inning, when Brenn Scott singled home Brian Fleming.

Appo tied the game 1-1 in the top of the fourth, where the score remained until the Vikings blew it open in the sixth, when Austin Rhue scored on a wild pitch, then Nick Cox slammed a triple to score Luke Crouch. Cox scored on an overthrow to the catcher.

"It feels so great," said Cox, who delivered a great performance on the mound in the semifinal win over Saint Mark’s. "I didn't expect that hit to go that far, but I was just running and running with attitude."

"I don't even have words," said coach Evick. "These guys have battled all year. And to have Brogan close it out. The start of the season, he didn't know if he could come back and play after his surgery. To win the state championship – what more can I say? We didn't start Nick [Cox] because he played his heart out in the semis and threw a lot of pitches. But we told him he was going to come through for the team tonight, and he did with the triple."

Rhue went 2-for-3, and Fleming, Josh Reinhold and Justin Marsh each had a hit.

Reinhold started on the mound, going 6.1 innings, allowing one earned run, striking out two Jaguars. Evick finished the game with a fly out and a strikeout to pick up the save.

Chase Thomas had the lone RBI for the Jags.

It was the second DIAA state championship for the Vikings. They defeated Caravel 5-3 in 2018.

Cape finishes at 21-2, winning 20 consecutive games to end the season.

 

We did it!
After the game, emotions overcame Cape head coach Ben Evick and assistant Drew Johnson.
Cape’s Owen Daminger, left, and Austin Rhue celebrate the victory.
The Cape student section goes wild after the Vikings’ victory.
“You did it, son,” said head coach Ben Evick after Brogan Evick shut down the Jags in the seventh inning.
The sweet thrill of victory.
Baseball bus driver Half Stockley congratulates Brian Fleming.
The student section shares the dog pile after the victory.
The 2022 DIAA State Championship coaches are (l-r) Stephen Schoch, Griffin Kammerer, head coach Ben Evick, Drew Johnson and Matt Griswold.
Cape manager Luke Williams speaks with former coach Dave Vitella via Facetime from Hawaii.
Cape’s Brian Fleming takes one for the team.
Cape senior Josh Reinhold picked up the 4-1 victory over the Jags.
Cape senior Josh Reinhold scoops up a bunt and throws to first for a putout.
Paris Mitchell snags a foul pop-up for an out.
Cape senior Josh Reinhold slams a hit in the bottom of the third.
Brenn Scott delivers with a hit to score Brian Fleming in the third.
Brian Fleming scores on a Brenn Scott single.
Austin Rhue picks up one of his two hits.
Barritt Ross gets the ball in quickly from the wall in center.
Timmy Hitchcock makes a diving play to knock down a hit and save a run.
Cape senior Justin Marsh slams a hit.
Cape’s Austin Rhue slides into second, but is called out on a close play.
Austin Rhue squeezes a pop-up at second.
Justin Marsh lays down a perfect bunt to move the runner.
Austin Rhue scores on a wild pitch in the sixth.
Nick Cox slams a triple in the bottom of the sixth, then scores on an overthrow to the plate.
Luke Crouch scores on the Nick Cox triple.
Nick Cox scores on an overthrow at the plate to make it 4-1.
Paris Mitchell is fired up after the Nick Cox score.
Pinch hitter Nick Cox gets the crowd fired up after his score.
Brogan Evick delivers the last pitch for a strike.
Brogan Evick runs to his teammates after the last pitch.
The Cape team swarms pitcher Brogan Evick after the last strike of the game.

Most Popular

Subscribe to the CapeGazette.com Daily Newsletter

Most Popular