NEWARK, Del. -- The Indian River Indians' Softball team impressive 2023 season came to an end earlier today, as they fell 7-0 to Caravel Academy in the DIAA State Championship game hosted at the University of Delaware.
The score does not reflect how close this game really was, as the Indians trailed just 2-0 entering the sixth inning. That was when the Buccaneers pulled away with a five-run inning that was noted by a Leila Rocke two-run double and an RBI triple from Brooklyn Richardson.
Through four-innings, it appeared this one was going to come down to which offense could muster up a run against two great pitchers. Kasey Xenidis limited the Indians to just three hits through those four innings, while Indian River ace Kinsley Hall was perfect during that same stretch.
However, the Buccaneer bats finally broke through in the fifth inning, as Rocke broke the scoreless tie on an RBI single. Caravel was able to plate another in the inning on a wild pitch to make it 2-0 after five.
Indian River managed to chip in some more hits here and there, but couldn't string together a bunch in a row, as Xenidis and reliever Morgan Maxwell kept them off-balance to secure the shut out victory.
Caravel continues its dominant run in Delaware Softball, as this win gives them their third consecutive State Title.
For the Indians, although they came up just short, it was most certainly a successful season. They finished the year with a total record of 19-4, and still toke home divisional and Henlopen Conference titles. This was also their first state title appearance since 1998.
