Indian River survived a pitchers’ duel June 1 to beat Delmarva Christian 2-1 and advance to the state tournament championship game.
IR senior pitcher Kinsley Hall struck out 15 batters, while Delmarva Christian senior Kaylan Yoder sat down 17.
Each pitcher cruised through three innings, but then the Royals threatened in the bottom of the fourth. Delmarva Christian got the first two batters on base after lead-off batter Maggie Kwiatkowski singled and Yoder reached on an error. Kwiatkowski stole third, but the Royals couldn’t push any runs home.
IR got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning. Yoder struck out Jaya Shaub, but the high pitch got past the catcher and Shaub beat the throw to first. Three batters later, Megan Daisey blasted a double to the fence to score the first run of the game.
The Indians added an insurance run in the top of the sixth inning. Sophomore Sophia Scurci led off the inning with a single, then stole second base. Scurci scored when the Royals misplayed a sacrifice bunt.
The Royals’ lone score came in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Yoder singled and Lily Fetterman walked, Lily Hutt smacked an RBI single. With runners at second and third, the Royals laid down a two-out bunt. IR made the routine play to end the threat.
The Royals went down in order in the seventh to end the game.
Delmarva Christian ends the season with a 17-4 record.
IR lost 7-0 to Caravel Academy in the state finals June 3 at the University of Delaware.


Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.