For The Dialog
This weekend is the start of the spring sports season, and even though a lot of the teams wont start until later next week, there are some Catholic teams playing the next few days.
Let’s start with softball.
St Mark’s at St Elizabeth, Canby Park, 11 a.m. Saturday. I can’t believe they are starting with a Catholic Conference game right out the chute. St Mark’s was 10-8 last year and swept the Vikings by scores of 11-1 and 11-3. The Vikings were young last year and hope with a year of experience they can improve from a 5-12 season.
In baseball, the Vikings also open at Canby Park on Saturday at noon when they play Conrad. Conrad just missed the playoffs last season, while St. Elizabeth went 16-2 and returns some of their key pitchers. The Vikings have defending state champion St. Mark’s on the schedule next week.
Archmere’s baseball team opens its season Saturday at Middletown at 11 a.m. The Auks went 13-5 last year, losing to St. Mark’s in the first round of the tournament.
In Magnolia, St. Thomas More will host Ss. Peter and Paul at noon. The Ravens were 5-12 last year.
Lacrosse also kicks off tomorrow.
At 12:45 p.m., Archmere hosts Brandywine. The Auks were 10-5 and gave state champion Salesianum one of their toughest contests.
St. Mark’s visits Chestnut Hill Academy (Md.) at 11:30 a.m. The Spartans went 11-3 last season, losing in the state semifinals to Salesianum. They have upgraded their out-of-state schedule and start with a tough one.
St. Thomas More opens at Conrad at noon. The Ravens were 6-9 last year and would like a good start to the season as they aim to make the state tournament.
In girls action, Brandywine visits Archmere at 11 a.m. The Auks are coming off a 12-3 season in which they reached the state semifinals before losing to Tower Hill. Archmere beat Brandywine, 18-3, last season.
Middletown visits St. Mark’s, also at 11 a.m. An 18-15 win over Middletown last season was one of five for the Spartans, who went 5-10.
Ursuline at Red Lion. The Raiders would like to improve on last year’s 11-4 record. They also reached the semifinals.
Mount Pleasant travels to St. Thomas More for a noon start. The Ravens won a 7-6 decision over Mount last year en route to a 7-8 season.
Girls soccer also begins this weekend.
St. Elizabeth heads to Dickinson for an 11 a.m. start. The Vikings look to improve on a 3-10 season and begin with a Rams team that was winless in 2013.
Ursuline hosts Wilmington Christian at 11 a.m. Saturday. The Raiders were 7-7-1 last year, with one of the wins coming over the Warriors.
What a great weekend slate and hopefully the weather will be nice and we can get out and support our Catholic teams kick off the spring season.
