Sussex Tech softball tops Caesar Rodney in state tournament game

Sussex Tech sophomore pitcher Cierra Lewis threw a complete game with 10 strikeouts for a 5-3 win over Caesar Rodney in the second round of the DIAA state softball tournament last Thursday. The Ravens’ offense was led by Journey Hearne with two hits and an RBI and Kathryn Calloway with one hit and two RBIs.

Lewis opened up the game with two strikeouts, using a change-up and then fielding the ground ball and throw to first for the third out. 

The Riders worked their way out of a bases loaded bottom of the first inning. Pitcher Montana Fox gave up a hit to Mariah McCabe and then an error moved McCabe up to second base. A looping single to right field by Calloway put runners at the corners and a walk to Lewis loaded the bases with two outs. A hard hit ball back to Montana was fielded and the throw to first ended the threat. Solid defense by the Ravens and the Riders kept the game scoreless through three innings. 

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Ravens’ Paige Krepps opened with a double down the left field line and a sacrifice bunt by Gabrielle Gianacoplis moved Krepps up to third base. Hearne stepped into the box with two outs and slapped an RBI single to left field. Sussex Tech added to the score on a two-run double up the middle by Kathryn Calloway and the Ravens led, 3-0, going into the fifth inning. 

The Riders’ Za’Niya McMullen took ball four for a walk and with two outs, Chloe LaMotte’s single scored McMullen and an error on the throw advanced LaMotte to second base. A catcher’s interference call put Ainsley McCarthy on base and an RBI by Fox made the score 3-2. On the next play, Amiya Carpenter’s ground ball was dropped on an error that scored and the Riders tied the game. 

Sussex Tech retook the lead in the bottom of the inning opening with a double off the bat of Adrianna Heck and then an RBI double by Aleandra Bennett for the 4-3 score. The Ravens’ added a run on a sacrifice fly by Gianacoplis and Sussex Tech was up by two runs. Lewis locked in for three straight outs in the sixth inning and then two strikeouts in the seventh to seal the 5-3 win for the Ravens. 

Ravens’ offense: Hits: Ava Barnette one, Kathryn Calloway one, Journey Hearne two, Adrianna Heck one, Paige Krepps one, Mariah McCabe two; RBIs: Aleandra Bennett one, Kathryn Calloway two, Gabriella Gianacoplis one, Journey Hearne one

The Ravens were scheduled to host Polytech on Tuesday in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament.