Dialog reporter
CLAYMONT – Delaware Military Academy broke open a tie game with four runs in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh and took a 10-4 decision at Archmere in Diamond State Athletic Conference softball on April 27 in Claymont.
Archmere pitcher Kayla Murray had retired six consecutive Seahawks heading into the sixth, but the DMA bats came alive. Ashley Conaty led off with a single just over the infield, and Clare Henry and Rachel Savini each bunted for a single to load the bases. Kayla Frazer singled sharply to left field to score two, and, after one batter was retired, Nicole Elliott tripled down the left-field line to plate Savini and Frazer. Just like that, it was 8-4.
The Seahawks brought freshman Delani Sheehan in to pitch the final two innings, and she was able to hold the Auks without a run. DMA improved to 4-4 on the season with the win.
The Auks scored the game’s first run, wasting little time. Annie Penrod led off the bottom of the first with a walk and stole second, then scored when the throw to first on Mackenzie Popp’s bunt single bounced off the bag and away from DMA first baseman Alexis Novotny.
It was a big day for Henry, who reached base every time she was up and got the Seahawks going in the second. She doubled with one out, then scored on Savini’s triple between the center and rightfielders. Savini came home on a sacrifice fly.
DMA added two runs in the third for a 4-1 lead. This time, Samantha Freeland opened the frame with a single. Alexus Johnson bunted for a single, and Freeland took third when the Auks left the base open. After Johnson stole second, Novotny lined out to shortstop, and Freeland beat the throw home for a sacrifice line drive. Johnson came home on a groundout.
Archmere picked up a strange run of its own in the third. Popp walked and swiped second, then came around on a 45-foot double off the bat of Jocelyn Phillips. Her short pop-up hit the third-base line in front of the bag, then rolled away from any Seahawks fielders. Popp read the ball off the bat and scored easily.
The Auks tied it in the fourth, overcoming an out for batting out of order in the process. Murray opened the frame with a single. After the uncommon out, Sophie Friedman reached on an error and Maggie Brown walked. With the bases loaded, Penrod brought a pair home with a double to right to tie it up.
Archmere (4-6) will try to end a three-game losing streak on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Appoquinimink. The Seahawks, who picked up 13 hits, also return to action on Saturday, meeting Padua at noon at Midway Softball Complex.
