Sports & Recreation
Ocean City Today Apr. 29, 2022
Page 58
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Decatur pitcher records 100th strikeout this yr. By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (April 29, 2022) Stephen Decatur senior Skylar Griffin has dominated on the mound in her four-year career pitching for the school. As her final high school season winds down, Griffin hit a milestone on Tuesday, recording her 100th strikeout this year. “It’s just honestly unbelievable. It’s just such a great feeling and I really didn’t think I’d be hitting 100 in one season, so it’s just so crazy to me,” she said. Griffin had 98 strikeouts going into the game against the Parkside Rams in Berlin. She struck out the first two batters she faced to get to 100. She finished the game with 14 more strikeouts for a total of 16 overall. “When my parents told me I was so close, I just didn’t believe it. It just didn’t really sink in that I’d be hitting 100 within a season,” she said. “I knew I was going to get it, I just didn’t know how soon – if it was going to be the second batter, the first inning the second inning. I was nervous, but I was also ready to go. It kind of pumped me up.” Griffin was happy to celebrate her accomplishment with her teammates. “One thing that really meant a lot to me was my teammates celebrating that 100th strikeout. They knew and they were ready,” she said. “Just hearing them celebrate behind me and everyone just kind of get loud was really special to me. It made me feel really good.” Decatur scored one run in the bottom of the first and held on to win, 10. “Parkside is always such good team. Last time we beat them 11-0 and we knew that was kind of a fluke thing,” Decatur Coach Scott Kurtz said. “We jumped on them early. We weren’t taking this one lightly. We knew what they were capable of.” Griffin stuck out 16, walked one and allowed two hits. She also had one hit. Freshman Madison McGinnis and sophomore Leah Simpson chipped in with two hits each. Senior Alexa Eisemann and freshman Ava Snelsire contributed with one hit each. “We’ve hit a lot better recently, but we just couldn’t string them together. We hit well, we put the ball in play,
LISA CAPITELLI/OCEAN CITY TODAY
Stephen Decatur senior Skylar Griffin has dominated on the mound in her four-year career pitching for the school. She hit a milestone on Tuesday, recording her 100th strikeout for the season.
they made some really good plays in the field,” Kurtz said. “It’s a good, well-coached team. Luckily we were able to sneak a run in early because we needed it.” The day before, Decatur shut out the Washington Jaguars, 16-0, in Princess Anne. “Pitching was very good. Skylar and Maddy [McGinnis] both pitched very well. Only a few hits in play,” Kurtz said. “It took us a couple innings to get our offense going, but we put together hits with walks to produce enough runs for a comfortable victory.” The Seahawks scored two in the second, nine in the third, two in the fourth and three in the fifth. Sophomore Kiara Taylor had three hits and two RBIs. Griffin (two RBIs) and Simpson (one RBI) had two hits apiece. Griffin struck out eight and walked one in three innings. McGinnis struck out five and gave up a hit in two innings. “[Griffin] has just been lights out. We’ve got 14 games in the books and we’ve given up 17 runs all season and nine came in one game,” Kurtz said. “We had one off game and gave up nine, so if you erase that from the books we’ve given up eight runs in the other 13 games. That’s a team that’s got an ace on the mound, other pitch-
Decatur boys’ lacrosse team tops Worcester Prep, 14-7 By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (April 29, 2022) The Stephen Decatur and Worcester Prep boys’ lacrosse teams battled in Berlin on Monday, with the Seahawks coming out on top, 14-7. “They were pumped up and excited, of course. It’s the Worcester County championship. Most of them grew up playing together, they know each other, they’re all neighbors,” said Decatur Coach “Hoffy” Hoffman. “It’s a nice rivalry. It’s a friendly rivalry, but nobody wants to go out there and lose. It’s big bragging rights for the area.” Despite the friendly rivalry, it was ers are ready to come in and help if needed and defense is always clean. This team can compete at any level. If we can get the bats hot at the right time we have a chance to do something special.” Decatur’s Senior Night is Wednesday when the team plays the Nandua Warriors at 4 p.m. in Berlin.
still a physical battle. “You’re friends before the game, you’re friends after the game, but during the game you’re playing,” Hoffman added. Stephen Decatur senior Austin Airey scored with 53 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Senior captain Jeff Eichelberger made it 2-0, with 10:30 to play before halftime, netting a behind-the-back shot. Junior captain Jack Gardner tallied Worcester’s first goal at the 9:52 mark. Senior captain Luke Bahlman increased Decatur’s advantage shortly after. Worcester again cut the lead to one, when freshman Ryan Mann scored with about four minutes remaining in the half. Bahlman made it 4-2 with 1:12 on the clock. Junior Gabe Geiser put Decatur ahead by three with just 6.9 seconds left to play. The Seahawks went into the break leading 5-2 on their home field. Goals by junior captain Griffin Jones See SEAHAWKS Page 59
