By Andy Walter

FELTON — Lake Forest High’s softball team didn’t plan on playing a bunch of close, lowing scoring games this spring.

It’s just turned out that way for the Spartans.

Five of the Spartans’ last nine contests have been decided by just a run. And they’ve won a couple eight-inning games this season.

“We’ve had a lot of tough games and a lot of close games,” said coach Gabi Cubbage. “And we’ve never really given up. We’ve had a couple walk-offs this year.

“They’re exciting and it just shows we’re resilient. You can’t ever count us out.”

Lake Forest’s latest nail-biter, a 1-0 victory over Laurel on Thursday gave the Spartans (12-2 overall) the Henlopen South title. It was Lake Forest’s first division title since 2017.

The showdown was scoreless in the bottom of the seventh inning when a bunt by Katie Pierce led to an error that allowed Carley Rebuck to score all the way from first base with two outs.,

“The girls were really excited,” said Cubbage.

Junior Carah Sumpter pitched a two-hitter with 14 strikeouts to blank the Bulldogs. It was the Spartans’ fifth shutout of the season.

Cubbage said Sumpter isn’t afraid to challenge hitters.

“Right now she’s really just in that groove,” said Cubbage. “She’s coming right at batters. And she’s also got a defense that is making some really good plays behind her.

“We’ve made a lot of good plays and that allows her to be comfortable in the circle. She just knows that her teammates have her back.”

Lake Forest will get a chance to avenge one of its two losses when it hosts North champion Sussex Central in the Henlopen Conference championhip game. The matchup is slated for May 17 at 4 p.m.

The Golden Knights downed the Spartans, 6-2, on April 16 in Georgetown. Central pitcher Madge Layfield limited Lake Forest to three hits that day.

“We’re really excited to play Central again,” said Cubbage. “It’s always good to go against good, competitive teams. Madge’s stats speak for themselves. She’s really good.”

A season ago, the Spartans reached the second round of the DIAA state tournament before losing a tough 1-0 decision to Polytech. Cubbage believes the Spartans will be a little more mentally prepared for the state tourney this year.

“I feel like we have a really strong chance to do something this year in the tournament,” she said. “I think our girls believe that this year. Last year I don’t think we believed that.

“Honestly, we just love to have fun,” Cubbage added. “When we’re having fun, that’s when we’re playing our best ball. We’re motivated and driven. As a team, we’ve set goals that we want to accomplish this season. We’re just slowly reaching our goals.”

Polytech's Everton tosses perfect game

Polytech senior Mara Everton pitched a five-inning perfect game in the Panthers' 10-0 win over St. Georges on Monday.

Everton retired all 15 batters she faced, including 12 by strikeout. It comes a week after Everton threw a no-hitter with 15 strikeouts in a 4-0 win over Delmarva Christian.

Rachel Carey ended the contest with a grand slam as she finished with three hits in the contest.

Other Henlopen championships

In other Henlopen Conference championship events:

• The Henlopen track & field meet will be held on Thursday and Friday at Lake Forest starting on 4 p.m.
• The girls’ Henlopen tennis tournament will be played on Thursday (12:30 p.m.) and Saturday (9:30 a.m.) at Caesar Rodney.
• The boys’ Henlopen tennis tournament will be played on Friday (12:30 p.m.) and Saturday (9:30 a.m.) at Cape Henlopen.
• In baseball, South champion Delmar will host North champion Sussex Tech on May 17.
• The Henlopen golf tournament will be held on May 20 at Rehoboth’s Kings Creek Country Club.
• Extra points
• The Cape Henlopen boys’ lacrosse squad won its seven Henlopen North games by a combined 141-24.
• With one game left,, the Cape Henlopen girls’ lacrosse team has won its eight Henlopen Conference games by a total of 156-22.
• The Sussex Tech baseball team has gone 14 innings without allowing a run.
• The Dover baseball squad takes a six-game winning streak into today’s 4:15 p.m. home game with Caravel.
• Cape Henlopen’s softball team (11-3) hosts Caravel (9-1) on Monday in an interesting matchup just before the state tournament.
• The Caesar Rodney baseball team has four shutouts in its last eight contests.
• CR’s Reagan Garnsey and Evan Gebhart both carded 33s in the Riders’ 140-144 golf win over Archmere on Monday.
  
  
• Ruggerio.com