Sports & Recreation
Ocean City Today June 17, 2022
Page 60
www.oceancitytoday.com
Decatur softball, baseball, lacrosse players recognized By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor (June 17, 2022) A number of Stephen Decatur High School athletes received Bayside South Conference awards for their performance during the spring softball, baseball and lacrosse seasons. SOFTBALL: Senior Skylar Griffin was named Bayside South Pitcher of the Year. “Skylar started every game in the circle for us this year. She was consistent and had a great season,” said Decatur Coach Scott Kurtz. “She gave up less than 50 hits in 23 games, which is approximately two hits per game. She also surpassed 100 strikeouts for the season and came just shy of reaching 200. All great accomplishments for her senior season on the mound.” Griffin’s career pitching record at Decatur was 30-5. She finished the 2022 season with 180 strikeouts. For her three-year career (the 2020 season was canceled because of covid) she recorded 276 strikeouts. Griffin also finished the season with the highest batting average on the team (.465). She also earned a spot on the Bayside South First Team with senior Alexa Eisemann and freshman Ryleigh Smith. Second Team award recipients were freshman Ava Snelsire, and sophomores Kiara Taylor and Leah Simpson. Honorable mention accolades went to senior Chloe Candeloro, junior Sarah Smith and freshman Madison McGinnis. “We are proud to place our entire starting line-up on the All-Bayside Team. It speaks to the balance we had as a team, that every girl contributed to our team’s success and accomplishments this year,” Kurtz said. Kurtz presented team awards to: Griffin (Pitching Excellence Award), Eisemann (Outstanding Leadership), Ryleigh Smith (Rookie of the Year) and McGinnis (Sportsmanship). The Stephen Decatur softball team had a successful season, finishing in the top four in the MPSSAA 3A state tournament, falling in the semifinals. Decatur finished the season with a 20-3 record. The Lady Seahawks were back-toback Bayside Conference champions (Decatur last won the conference
Shelby Rosemond - First Team Midfield
Skylar Griffin - Bayside South Pitcher of the Year
Joe Buxbaum - Bayside South Defensive Player of the Year
championship in 2019. There was no season in 2020 because of covid. In 2021 the season was condensed and there was no conference championship game played.) The team also won the program’s first regional title since 1991. BASEBALL: Earning First Team honors were: seniors Logan Tapman and Shawn Rosemond and juniors Ryan McLaughlin and Gus Croll. Receiving Second Team distinc-
tion were: junior Owen Knerr, and sophomores Caden Shockley and Lukas Loring. Juniors Stephen Wade and Adam Gardner and sophomore AJ Kolb were presented honorable mention awards. “They’re a really great group of guys,” said Coach Rich Ferro. “They were a very successful group, and not just in baseball but in the classroom as well.” Ferro presented team awards to:
Ryan McLaughlin - First Team
Rosemond (Offensive MVP), Knerr (Defensive MVP), Wade (Coach’s Award) and junior Brooks Kendall (Sportsmanship). Decatur finished the season with a 17-3 record. The team captured its first Bayside Conference championship title since 2014. See GRIFFIN Page 61
