It’s a familiar theme this season for the Indian River High School girls’ soccer team when it comes to their on-field games. The IR Girls continued their dominating game on Tuesday, May 10, when they visited Sussex Tech, 7-1, at the program’s annual Senior Appreciation Night.

Seniors Chloe Beam, Hanna Bird, Hannah Bird, Brynn McCabe and Madison Tipton were all honored on the night, which was made even more special with the win in their final home game of the regular season.

The Indians scored once in the first half before adding six more in the second to earn the Henlopen Athletic Conference divisional crossover victory over the Ravens.

Freshman Sophie Scurci scored four more times in the game, including the first of the contest, in the first half in the 38th minute. For the season, Scurci has scored 25 goals in what has been a remarkable first season so far.

Sophie Scurci also scored the second, fourth and fifth goals of the match for IR, while registering an assist (her 6th of the year) on her sister Bella’s goal – the last tally of the match – in the 78th minute. Bella Scurci has 13 goals and 5 assists this season. The dynamic duo combined for 38 goals and 11 assists in total.

Hannah Bird scored in the 71st minute while also picking up a pair of assists. McCabe scored the game’s third goal, with Carley Topper also credited with an assist in the game.

The Indians held a 19-12 advantage in shooting for the game, with the two teams tied at 2-2 in corner chances. IR goalkeeper Alex Davidson made 8 saves to pick up the win again.

Three road games remain on the Indians’ schedule, starting with a trip north to Archmere Academy on Thursday, May 12, after Coastal Point press time. They will wrap up the regular season at Laurel on Tuesday, May 17 and at Newark on Wednesday, May 18.

Baseball

Indians suffer disappointing loss to Laurel

Junior Chance Hocker played the first six innings of the Indians’ game against Laurel on Thursday, May 5. The right-hander threw a shutout for the Bulldogs on 92 pitches, allowing just two hits while striking out nine. He left the game with what looked like a comfortable 5-0 lead.

However, the bullpen couldn’t close it, as Colby Willey didn’t register an out in the five batters he faced, walking two, batting one and allowing a pair of hits. . Those five hitters would score later when Jamison Bender followed with three more hits, including the game-winning single that left the Indians stunned in a 6-5 loss.

The setback ended a three-game winning streak by IR and had them considering a potential first-round playoff home game in the DIAA State Championship playoffs. Now they will need to win their last three games to secure at least one favorable seed and one first-round game.

To do so, they will need to beat Newark Charter (8-6), Sussex Academy (7-9) and Newark (6-8) in the final week of the season. At 10-5, the Indians could still set themselves up for success and erase the disappointment of Laurel’s loss with three straight wins.

Roman Keith continued his All-State caliber season with another 3-for-4 day at the plate, with a brace, a run scored and an RBI. Bender and Finn Hanley also each contributed a pair of hits in the game, with Bender adding an RBI. Ben Cordrey scored twice for IR, with Willey adding a double and two RBIs.