By Mike McClure

The Delmar varsity baseball team opened the season with a 3-1 home win over Henlopen South foe Woodbridge in a pitcher’s duel.

“We knew this was a big game going in, especially in the South. The pitchers, all together, they’re working their tails off,” said Delmar head coach Matt Torbert, who picked up his first win. “The defense was even better. We emphasized defense a lot this offseason.”

Delmar scored first in the bottom of the first inning when Ayden McCauley hit a two-out single, stole second, and went to third when the throw went into the outfield. Jason Smullen walked and stole second, and McCauley came home on the throw to second.

Woodbridge’s Dalton McCabe comes home with a pitch last week against Delmar. McCabe struck out seven in five innings and also collected two hits, including a double. Photo by Mike McClure

The Wildcats added to their lead in the fifth inning. Robert McCabe singled, stole second, and scored on a double by Colton Gwaltney. Gwaltney moved to third and scored following a pair of wild pitches (3-0).

In the top of the sixth, the Raiders’ Daulton McCabe hit a leadoff double, moved to third on a groundout by Cameron Anthony, and scored on a single by Cale Hudson. McCauley struck out the final batter he faced for the second out of the inning. Gavin Reidy walked Kole Vodvarka and Anthony Clairmont to load the bases before getting a fly out to end the inning.

Reidy recorded a pair of strikeouts and a walk before fielding a comebacker and throwing to first for the final out of the game.

McCauley allowed one run on three hits and walked a pair while striking out 10 in five and two-thirds innings, earning the win. Reidy had two strikeouts and allowed no runs and no hits in one and a third innings for the save. Gwaltney went 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI while Robert McCabe, McCauley, and Smullen each had one hit.

McCabe gave up three runs on three hits and struck out seven in five innings, while going 2-for-2 with a double at the plate. Hudson went 1-for-2 with an RBI.

“The first game is the most important game. It sets the tone for the season,” Torbert said.