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On a windy Tuesday afternoon, I headed to the beach to watch a Henlopen North matchup as #1 Cape Henlopen hosted Caesar Rodney on the diamond. In the end, the Vikings continued their domination, pitching a three-hit shutout as they would ride a 7-0 win as Cape moved to 4-0 on the season. 

A pair of uncommitted juniors took the mound to kick off this game, with Steven Donigan getting the ball for the Riders, and Brad Marks for the Vikings. Marks would quickly shut down the top of the order before the bats would come alive early in the first, as Cape would strike first with a RBI single from senior Brian Fleming (Virginia Commonwealth). The Vikings would then double their lead to four in the third following a single from senior Gage Joseph (Delaware) and two passed balls. Marks would continue his dominance on the mound, allowing only one walk while striking out eight through five innings before Cape would put the game away in the fifth courtesy of a RBI double from junior Jaxon Clampitt and a 2 RBI single from freshman Aaden Johnson. Uncommitted junior Jacob Smith would enter the game and collect three quick outs to secure a shutout 7-0 win for Cape Henlopen.

Caesar Rodney

 

Steven Donigan LHP / Caesar Rodney, DE / 2025 The uncommitted southpaw started the game for the Riders and had a solid outing against the best lineup across the state of Delaware. Donigan had good control of the zone, mainly showing three different pitches during the outing. Finished his outing after four innings, allowing four hits on three runs while only allowing two free passes. The fastball sat 81-83 during the outing while holding that velo into the third. Has the ability to throw two different breakers, but mainly showed the slider during the outing, working on the outer half to RHH at 68-69. However, he left it hanging a few times, and he would pay the price as it caught a few barrels. The changeup rounded out the arsenal, inducing some whiffs down in the zone. Overall, Donigan shows nice feel and ultra-competitiveness on the mound, as he’s not afraid to let his stuff do the talking and pound the zone with the entire arsenal.

Cape Henlopen

Brad Marks RHP / Cape Henlopen, DE / 2025 The junior flamethrower took the ball for the Vikings and was impressive from pitch one until pitch eighty-seven. Marks finished his night hurling six shutout innings, allowing three hits while only walking one batter. The Riders threatened early in the first, but after getting out of a jam, he was lights out for the remaining five innings, as he would retire seven straight into the fourth. The fastball sat majority 87-89, touching 90 in the first inning before settling in at 85-88 in the third. Control with the fastball was scattered in the first, however the fastball lived in the zone as the game progressed. Worked all quadrants but loved to change eye levels, continuously getting calls at the top and bottom of the zone. He frequently went to the slider early in the outing, which sat in the low 70s, as it was his most controlled pitch in the first two frames. Flashed an occasional changeup that worked the bottom half of the zone. Finished with eight strikeouts on the day, and this uncommitted junior is definitely one to watch as he will continue to cause problems for opposing offenses across the First State.

Jaxon Clampitt OF / Cape Henlopen, DE / 2025 An intriguing, uncommitted junior two-way here as he showcased the hit tool throughout the game yesterday. Finished 1-3 on the day with an RBI double to his name. His best swing of the afternoon came in the third inning, as Clampitt found a barrel and sent a shot into shallow right-center, but was robbed of a base hit thanks to a great play in center. He drove in a run later in the fifth with a bouncer down the left field line that just stayed fair for a standup double. A two-way that continues to impress at the dish, showing off the ability to work the entire field effectively.

Isaac Terhune C / Cape Henlopen, DE / 2024 Terhune may have been the unluckiest hitter in the state of Delaware as he continued to find barrels the entire game but would result in outs. With a mix of the cold and the wind blowing in, Terhune was robbed of multiple XBH in the game. After singling in his first at-bat, the senior put the barrel to the ball and launched a hard line drive that was caught at the fence in deep left field. Later in the game, Terhune would then barrel up another one and send it deep into center field for another hard line out. Got ahead in the count early, then sat fastball and capitalized when he got one. Even with the immense talent on this Vikings team, Terhune had the loudest contact of anyone yesterday. Finished 1-4 on the day out of the leadoff spot.

Brian Fleming OF / Cape Henlopen, DE / 2024 Some of the more mature actions at the dish I’ve seen this season came from the VCU commit yesterday. Finished 3 for 3 on the afternoon with one RBI and came across to score twice. Made his presence known early in the game, getting a hanging breaker across the zone, pummeling it into left-center field to open the scoring in the first inning. 96 mph EV on his first swing. Fleming would then draw a walk and hit a weak single before coming back up in the sixth and hitting a 0-1 bolt back up the middle into center for his third single of the afternoon. Coming off an injury that sidelined Fleming for much of 2023, the left-handed hitting outfielder showed off a sweet stroke whose hit tool is through the roof. Showed the ability to spray to all fields with advanced actions to the opposite field.

Gage Joseph OF / Cape Henlopen, DE / 2024 The University of Delaware commit once again put on a show in front of us yesterday afternoon, as he caught multiple barrels throughout the game. During his first at-bat, he would spray a hard line drive straight at the first baseman for a hard lineout (90 EV). Comes right back in his second AB and sends a shot into the right-center gap for a single. Finished 1-3 in the game with a walk and two runs scored. Another guy who has battled arm injuries the last few years, moving over to first base this year. Continued to find barrels with quiet confidence as the ball exploded off the bat to all fields.

Jacob Smith RHP / Cape Henlopen, DE / 2025 The uncommitted junior had a short outing, as he secured the win by throwing the seventh inning. Lived in the zone, 9/13 strikes in the inning. Predominantly FB, which came out well at a very strong 88-89, filling up the zone at a high rate. Changeup was absolutely filthy with lots of movement, only showing it twice in the inning at 71-74, one collecting a K on the leadoff hitter. On the final pitch of the game, he flashed a CB at 66 that dropped below the zone for a swinging strikeout to end the game. Imposing 6-4, 215-pound frame that moves well and intimidates hitters. It was not a super in-depth look at the junior, but I definitely walked away overly impressed with the arsenal.

Aaden Johnson C / Cape Henlopen, DE / 2027 An intriguing freshman here for the Vikings who mans the DH role for them in the lineup. Put the game away in the fifth inning with a 2-RBI single into shallow right-center. You can see the present strength from the freshman that'll only continue to improve. He was able to work the count as he battled with multiple foul balls, with the ability to hit to all fields. Strength was present to the PS, however, was early multiple times on pitches. Low whiff rate with tons to like in multiple facets at the plate.