BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - - The Wilmington University softball team used a pair of midgame comebacks to sweep a nonconference doubleheader from Bridgeport, 11-5 and 5-1, with the second game being called after five inning due to darkness on Friday afternoon at Seaside Park.
A six run fourth inning allowed the Wildcats (7-11 overall) to come back from an early deficit in the first game while a four run second inning put the visitors ahead for good in the night cap. The Purple Knights (5-11 overall) had a 5-1 lead after their third at-bat of game one and out-hit the Wildcats in the nightcap, but came up short in each contest.
The Wildcats got off on the right foot in the doubleheader as junior Kelsey Doherty led off the game with a solo homer to right center and the 1-0 lead. But Bridgeport battled back to tie the game on a solo shot to lead off the bottom of the second and take the lead with four runs (one earned) in the bottom of the third.
But the Wildcats didn't trail for long, as they stormed back with six runs of their own in the next half inning.
Back-to-back slap hitters Cambria Ziemba and Shannon McMahaon led of the inning with a pair of singles. With one out, Doherty singled in the innings' first run for her second RBI of the contest. A walk loaded the bases and junior Michelle Panasiti took full advantage, smashing a grand slam to center, giving the Wildcats the 6-5 lead. Sophomore Jen Fischbach didn't want to be outdone, following with a solo shot to left, putting the visitors ahead 7-5 after four innings.
The bats came alive for the Wildcats from the fourth inning on, as they tacked on a pair of runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings to command the lead. Miranda Pedersen contributed for all four runs, hitting a two-run homer to left in the sixth and adding a two-run double to left in the seventh.
Starter Chelsea Botsch earned her first win of the season after pitching four innings and picking up six strikeouts. She allowing five runs, but only two earned, on six hits. Freshman Colby Wyatt came on and picked up the save, pitching the final three innings without allowing a run and only giving up two hits.
In the nightcap, the Wildcats only mustered three hits, but took advantage of three walks and an error in the fourth inning to take the lead.
Trailing 1-0 after the first inning, Ashley Bennett led off the second by working a walk. With pinch runner Ziemba standing on third with two outs, the Wildcats tied the game at 1-1 as Becca Stanley reached on an error by the left fielder. Now with the bases loaded, Meghan Logullo picked up the team's first hit with a single into right field, plating two more. The final run of the inning came as Logullo induced a throw down to second on a steal, giving time for Doherty to scoot home before bing tug out and the 4-1 lead.
Starter Stephanie Sarris held the Purple Knights scoreless for two more innings before McMahon relieved her in the circle for the final two innings. The freshman only allowed two hits in her first two innings of work on the year, earning the win as the game was called after the fifth inning due to darkness.
Doherty and Pedersen each collected four hits in the doubleheader with three of them coming in the opener for each student-athlete. Pedersen went 4-for-5 on the afternoon, finishing with four RBI. Doherty picked up three RBI while scoring five runs on the day and Panasiti also chipped in with four RBI, all coming from her grand slam in game one.
The Wildcats' busy weekend was cut down by a doubleheader, as Saturday's twinbill at Dominican was postponed earlier this week. The team will now return home for their next day of action on Sunday, making up a doubleheader against Bloomsburg at Asbury Field. The games will begin at 2 p.m.