Tri-Cape takes it

The Tri-Cape All-Stars survive triple-digit temperatures, two one-run games to win their second Carpenter Cup softball title in three years

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PHILADELPHIA – While they were warming up, even before the first pitch of the first game, the Tri-Cape Softball All-Stars made a pact.

It was going to be all or nothing. They went for the all.

The Tri-Capers won three games do-or-die games in Monday’s bracket round to sweep their way to a second Carpenter Cup softball title in three years. They beat Delaware South in the title game 3-2 after taking down Jersey Shore 9-0 and Delaware County 2-1 on a walk-off passed ball.

“Before we even played any games (Monday), when we were warming up, we said ‘All or nothing,’” Pennsville infielder Graillyn Weber said. “If we lose the first game we’d be done or win the first game and win the whole thing. That’s pretty much what it was.”

What it definitely was was hot. The games at FDR Park were played in temperatures that hovered around 100 degrees, but the Tri-Capers didn’t wilt – even under the intensity of a couple one-run games.

They beat Delaware County in the semifinals when courtesy runner Trinity Brown of Oakcrest raced home on a passed ball with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. They took the lead against Delaware South on Tori Jester’s two-out single in the sixth. 

Ocean City’s Jess Mooney set South down in order in the seventh with Woodstown’s Ellie Wygand squeezing the final out on a fly ball to left field touching off a big celebration. Weber turned a leaping double play in the top of the sixth to keep the game tied.

“When we first got the trophy we all jumped and held it up,” Weber said. “It was pretty cool. It was like one of those moments you see on TV when a team wins something and holds up the big trophy. That was a cool moment.”

Weber and Wygand both had a hit in the rout of Jersey Shore and Weber had a hit against Delaware South.

Tri-Cape never trailed in the championship game, but they never had it in hand until the sixth. Brooke Douglas’ RBI double gave them a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Adeline Lutz tied with an RBI single in the third. They regained the lead on Ava Snyder’s RBI single in the bottom of the third, but Delaware South tied it again in the fifth.

“I knew we were going to win it, honestly; I just knew it,” Weber said. “Because we had such a solid team. We had all the best players I felt like.”

“Loved getting to play on the field with so many elite and talented players,” Wygand wrote on her X feed. “What an honor! What a blast!”

Tri-Cape won the Cup in 2023 and 2014. Pennsville coach Beth Jackson has been on the staff for all three titles. Schalick coach Rick Higinbotham has been on the staff for the last two.

This year’s team went 6-0 in the tournament, winning three one-run games, and outscored their opponents 42-13.

“It’s always fun,” Jackson said. “It’s a new group of kids. Every year they’re a great group of kids and they always work together. We only have two practices and they come together and play for two days and they win. It’s always amazing.”

The team will be recognized along with the Carpenter Cup baseball champions in Citizens Bank Park prior to the Phillies’ Aug. 4 game against Baltimore. 

CARPENTER CUP PLAYOFFS
Monday’s Games
SOL/BAL 7, Lehigh Valley 1
Delaware South 4, Berks L/L 3
Tri-Cape 9, Jersey Shore 0
Delaware County 4, Delaware North 1
Delaware South 4, SOL/BAL 1
Tri-Cape 2, Delaware County 1
Tri-Cape 3, Delaware South 2