DIAA softball state tourney bracket loaded with Downstate teams

DOVER — A dozen Henlopen Conference squads, including five who earned first-round byes, are in the field for the expanded DIAA softball state tournament field that was determined today.

This year’s bracket includes 24 teams with the top eight seeds receiving first-round byes.

The tourney gets underway on Tuesday with eight first-round contests starting at 4 p.m. In matchups involving Henlopen teams, No. 17 Delmar (8-10) goes to No. 16 Newark Charter (7-11), No. 13 Caesar Rodney (9-9) hosts No. 20 St. Georges (7-10), No. 12 Indian River (11-7) hosts No. 21 Delmarva Christian (7-11), No. 18 Sussex Academy (8-9) goes to No. 15 Wilmington Charter (10-8), No. 23 Milford (10-8) plays at No. 10 Delaware Military (13-5), No. 19 Sussex Tech (4-11) goes to No. 14 Middletown (10-7) and No. 11 Polytech (15-3) hosts No. 22 Concord (12-6).

No. 8 Smyrna (12-6), No. 4 Lake Forest (16-2), No. 5 Laurel (13-5), No. 2 Sussex Central (16-2) and No. 6 Cape Henlopen (14-4) will all host second-round games on Thursday at 4 p.m.

The one exception is Sussex Central. The Golden Knights’ game will be played at Sussex Tech.

Defending state champion Caravel (14-1) is the No. 1 seed. The state championship game is slated for Mary 31 at the University of Delaware at 7 p.m.

SOFTBALL
DIAA state tournament
First round

Games start at 4 p.m.

17-Delmar (8-10) at 16-Newark Charter (7-11)
24-William Penn (10-8) at 9-Conrad (11-7)
20-St. Georges (7-10) at 13-Caesar Rodney (9-9)
21-Delmarva Christian (7-11) at 12-Indian River (11-7)
18-Sussex Academy (8-9) at 15-Wilmington Charter (10-8)
23-Milford (10-8) at 10-Delaware Military (13-5)
19-Sussex Tech (4-11) at 14-Middletown (10-7)
22-Concord (12-6) at 11-Polytech (15-3)

Second round

Games start at 4 p.m. unless noted.

Delmar/New. Charter at 1-Caravel (14-1), 5 p.m.
Conrad/Wm. Penn at 8-Smyrna (12-6)
CR/St. Georges at 4-Lake Forest (16-2)
IR/Delm. Christian at 5-Laurel (13-5)
Sus. Acad./W. Charter vs. 2-Sussex Central (16-2) , at Sussex Tech
Milford/DMA at 7-Appoquinimink (14-4)
S. Tech/Middletwn at 3-Saint Mark’s (14-3)
Polytech/Concord at 6-Cape Henlopen (14-4)

Quarterfinals

Saturday, May 25

Games at higher seed, 4 p.m.

Semifinals
Wednesday, May 29

Games at higher seed, 4 p.m.

Finals
Friday, May 31

At University of Delaware, 7 p.m.