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Young Seahawks welcome challenging schedule in softball

Sussex Academy increases quality of opponents after tournament run
After reaching the DIAA tournament last year, Sussex Academy softball is set to face another grueling schedule in 2025 and will be led by (l-r) sophomore Grayce Glover, senior Carson Gesuero, sophomore Delainie Monitzer and junior Ryan Lowe. AARON R. MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
March 25, 2025

Despite a losing record in 2024, Sussex Academy softball made the state tournament thanks in large part to a quality schedule and quality of play against those polished products.

Senior Carson Gesuero said when coach Gerald Jester joined the program he wanted to make sure his players’ field was nice and that they had great facilities.

“More people wanted to play softball here, because originally when I first got here, softball wasn't really a thing,” she said. “Softball was never really very popular here, and I think since Jester's gotten here, he started bringing girls in and we've gotten a much better program.”

Gesuero will likely patrol some outfield, take the circle and pinch run. She will be counted on to eat up innings along with sophomores Makenna Blades and Rogue Garcia. Calling the pitches will be junior Delanie Monitzer who says in addition to the arms, the defense behind the girls is shaping up well.

“Everyone's out there diving for balls ... and just giving every effort they can out there,” Monitzer said. “You can just tell everyone's fighting for their spot, and they just want to go out there and work and beat some teams this year.”

The left side of the infield looks like it will belong to eighth-graders Ashlyn Troxler at third and Danica Bergh at shortstop. Caroline White returns at second base while first base could see the likes of junior Eva Boos and sophomores Rogue Garcia and Grayce Glover. The first two played the position last year, while Glover is athletic enough to fill in wherever her team might need her. Glover is optimistic about the team’s prospects.

“There's a lot of talent coming up in the eighth-grade class,” Glover said. “Through the whole lineup, we’ve got power hitters.”

Glover was relied on for power last year, along with junior Ryan Lowe, who is also happy with the new additions.

“They're inexperienced, technically, at the varsity level, but they look great; they aren’t missing a beat,” Lowe said.

Leading the girls into another competitive schedule, Jester believes there’s a lot to buy-in on.

“We’ve got a bright future,” he said. “We got a young team again, but this young team made a tournament last year. We want to get to the tournament again – and get a little further this year.”

Sussex Academy begins the season at Newark Charter at 3:45 p.m., Wednesday, March 26.

 

Seahawks junior catcher Delainie Montizer squeezes a strike during Sussex Academy’s 4-2 win over Delaware Military Academy March 15.
Sussex Academy freshman Makenna Blades struck out the side in the first inning of the Seahawks' 4-2 win over Delaware Military Academy. Blades went five innings and collected eight strikeouts while surrendering just one run.
Seahawks junior Eva Boos watches a line drive shot as it sails into the second baseman’s mitt. Boos is used to avoiding gloves, as she plays hockey for the Delmarva Raptors in Harrington.
Sussex Academy sophomore Grayce Glover takes her foot off first after collecting the third out of the third inning.
Seahawks senior Carson Gesureo showcases her speed and timing as she steals second and third during junior Ryan Lowe’s at-bat.
Sussex Academy sophomore Makenna Blades stands on second after singling in the tying run in the bottom of the third inning.
Seahawks junior Ryan Lowe crosses the plate to give Sussex Academy the lead in the third inning.
Sussex Academy eighth-grader Danica Bergh adjusts her socks after doubling in two runs to give the home Seahawks a 3-1 lead.
Seahawks sophomore Caroline White reaches out to make contact.
Sussex Academy sophomore Grayce Glover looks the first out of the fourth inning into her glove.
Seahawks eighth-grader Emma Orlen loads up to throw the ball in after snagging a liner.
Sussex Academy eighth-grader Danica Bergh sends one over to second.
Seahawks eighth-grader Lauren Myers pulls into second base after lacing one into center.
Sussex Academy sophomore Rogue Garcia pitch two innings of relief to earn the save against Delaware Military Academy.
Seahawks junior Ryan Lowe prevents a run from scoring by snagging the final out of the fifth inning.
Sussex Academy freshman Taegan Forester keeps her bat level and her eyes on the ball.
Seahawks senior Carson Gesuero started the game for Sussex Academy against Appoquinimink in the second game of the March 15 play day in Georgetown.
Sussex Academy junior Delainie Monitzer has a laugh after making an impressive catch on a ball that seemed to be spinning faster than earth.
Seahawks junior Ryan Lowe watches to see how much damage her bat just inflicted.
Sussex Academy eighth-grader Emma Orlen puts the Seahawks within three in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Seahawks eighth-grader Ashlyn Troxler scored the fifth an final run in Sussex Academy’s 11-5 loss to Appoquinimink March 15.

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Aaron Mushrush joined the sports team in Summer 2023 to help cover the emerging youth athletics scene in the Cape Region. After lettering in soccer and lacrosse at Sussex Tech, he played lacrosse at Division III Eastern University in St. David's, PA. Aaron coached lacrosse at Sussex Tech in 2009 and 2011. Post-collegiately, Mush played in the Eastern Shore Summer Lacrosse League for Blue Bird Tavern and Saltwater Lacrosse. He competed in several tournaments for the Shamrocks Lacrosse Club, which blossomed into the Maryland Lacrosse League (MDLL). Aaron interned at the Coastal Point before becoming assistant director at WMDT-TV 47 ABC in 2017 and eventually assignment editor in 2018. 

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