DOVER – Nine downstate squads have made the 24-team field for the DIAA baseball state tournament that was determined on Tuesday night.
For the second straight year, the top eight-seeded teams will receive a first-round bye. Unlike last season, though, the first two rounds will be played on separate days.
Henlopen Conference champion Cape Henlopen (15-3), the No. 4 seed, was the only downstate squad to earn a first-round bye.
The tourney starts on Thursday with eight opening-round matchups. Thursday’s contests all start at 4 p.m.
In first-round games involving downstate teams, No. 17 Dover (11-6) will play at No. 16 Indian River (11-7); No. 24 Polytech (10-8) will play at No. 9 Wilmington Friends (15-3); No. 12 Delmar (12-5) hosts No. 21 Conrad (9-8); No. 18 Delmarva Christian (12-4) faces No. 15 Delaware Military (11-6) at Newark National Little League; No. 23 Sussex Tech (10-8) plays at No. 10 Red Lion Christian (14-4); No. 19 Sussex Central (11-7) will play at No. 14 Concord (12-6); and No. 22 Caesar Rodney (10-6) will play at No. 11 Middletown (12-8).
The tournament continues on Saturday. Cape Henlopen will host the winner of the first-round matchup between No. 13 Archmere and No. 20 Newark Charter.
BASEBALL
DIAA State tournament
First round
Thursday, May 24
Games start at 4 p.m.
17-Dover (11-6) at 16-Indian River (11-7)
24-Polytech (10-8) at 9-Wilmington Friends (15-3)
20-Newark Charter (10-7) at 13-Archmere (12-6)
21-Conrad (9-8) at 12-Delmar (12-5)
18-Delmarva Christian (12-4) vs. 15-Delaware Military (11-6) at Newark National Little League
23-Sussex Tech (10-8) at 10-Red Lion Christian (14-4)
19-Sussex Central (11-7) at 14-Concord (12-6)
22-Caesar Rodney (10-6) at 11-Middletown (12-8)
Second round
Saturday, May 26
Games start at 1 p.m.
Dover/Indian River at 1-William Penn (15-2)
Polytech/Friends at 8-Salesianum (12-6)
Newark Charter/Archmere at 4-Cape Henlopen (15-3)
Conrad/Delmar at 5-Appoquinimink (14-4)
Delmarva Christian/DMA at 2-Caravel (14-2)
Sussex Tech/Red Lion at 7-St. Georges (12-4)
Sussex Central/Concord at 3-St. Mark’s (15-3)
CR/Middletown at Hodgson (13-4)
Quarterfinals
Wednesday, May 30
Times and sites TBA
Semifinals
Friday, June 1
Times and sites TBA
Finals
Saturday, June 3
Time and site TBA
