Inside The Circle – Week 2 softball top 10

Sussex Central Madge Layfield throws a pitch during a game, photo courtesy of Ben Fulton

The weather is wreaking havoc on the softball schedule this season and this week rain is predicted for the early part of the week. Many teams will be adjusting schedules in the coming weeks. Here is our “week-2” Top 10 with no changes from last week.

No. 1 Caravel (2-0) The defending state champs opened the season with wins over North East (MD) and No. 9 Smyrna as the Buccaneers hosted the “Attack-Addiction” event. The Bucs have most of the week off for the Spring break until Saturday the 6th when they travel to Georgetown to face Sussex Tech.

No. 2 Sussex Central (2-0) The Golden Knights were locked in a terrific pitching duel against No. 6 Polytech as Madge Layfield (16-k’s) and Mara Everton (17-k’s) combined for 33 strikeouts. Central’s Takyla Davis homered in the 5-0 win. Coach John Wells’ team will host No. 3 St Marks Tuesday. 

No. 3 Saint Marks (4-0) The Spartans are off to a great start with a recent win versus Padua 12-2. Senior Morgan Hall homered and knocked in 4 runs in the game.  The Spartans next game will be against No. 2 Sussex Central in Georgetown.

No. 4 Appo (3-0) Ayla McCathern “tossed” a one-hit shutout as the Jags grabbed an 11-0 victory over St George’s Tech. Brianna Russo and Maddie Parajon both went “yard” for Appo. Coach Timpson’s team has nothing scheduled until April 9 at Red Lion as they observe Spring break. 

No. 5 Laurel (2-1) Kylee Hill, Bailey Ullman and sister Ashlyn plus the rest of the Bulldogs will be busy this week with games scheduled against Seaford and No. 10 DMA. 

No. 6 Polytech (2-1) The Panthers fell to No. 2 Sussex Central 5-0 last week. Pitcher Mara Everton recorded 17 strikeouts in the loss. Polytech has one game this week against Caesar Rodney (2-0) on Thursday.  

No. 7 Lake Forest (3-0) The Spartans improved to 3-0 with a 16-0 win versus Seaford. Carah Sumpter allowed just one hit while collecting 5 RBI’s at the plate. Lake is scheduled to face Sussex Academy and St George’s Tech this week. 

No. 8 Cape Henlopen (1-0) Coach Mike Tkach and the Vikings have Stephen Decatur (MD) and Dover this first week in April.

No. 9 Smyrna (3-2) The Eagles only losses have come at the hands of No. 1 Caravel and No. 2 Sussex Central. Cimone Edge and Kate Slaney had 3 hits each in a 7-1 win against Bo Manor (MD) in the Attack-Addiction event at Caravel. 302 Sports plans to broadcast the Eagles next game Saturday the 6th at Red Lion.

No. 10  DMA (1-0) Emily Trzonkowski pitched a no hitter in a win over St Elizabeth. The hawks plan to face Conrad on the road this Thursday.