Wilmington University softball team dropped a close Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader to Dominican on Saturday afternoon, 8-6 and 4-2, at Asbury Field.
The Chargers (6-8, 2-0 CACC) took the lead in the top of the fourth in game one before scoring twice in the top of the seventh inning in game two to sweep the Wildcats (11-8, 2-2 CACC). The losses halted a four-game winning streak for the Wildcats.
Dominican threatened all game long in the opener, scoring two runs in the top of the first before adding three in the fourth, two in the fifth, and one more in the sixth. The Chargers left 12 runners on base in the first game.
After the Chargers scored twice in the top of the first, the Wildcats tied the game in the bottom of the second. Kaitlyn Slater singled home Shannon McMahon and Becca Stanley earned an RBI groundout, knotting the game at 2-2.
A leadoff walk led to a run in the top of the fourth for the Chargers before the visitors added two more runs for the 5-2 lead. A two-out triple by Slater and ensuing single by Stanley brought the Wildcats to within 5-3, but the Chargers added two more runs in the fifth and a single run in the sixth to hold the Wildcats at bay.
The Wildcats added single runs in the bottom of the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, getting a solo shot from Miranda Pedersen in the seventh but it wasn't enough as the Chargers took game one, 8-6.
The Wildcats answered the Chargers with runs in the bottom of the fourth and sixth innings to tie the score in game two, but couldn't answer a two-run seventh by the Chargers, giving the visitors the sweep.
After the Chargers took the 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth, Stanley started the bottom half with a single back up the middle. Cambria Ziemba flew out to right field, but deep enough to score Stanley from third with the sacrifice fly. Dominican got out of the inning with a ground out, stranding two Wildcats in scoring position.
The Chargers again took the lead with a single run in the top of the sixth, but the Wildcats had an answer again. Pedersen started the bottom half with a single and pinch runner Taylor Rizzotte score the game tying run on a two-out RBI double by Danielle Bradley.
With two outs and runners on first and second in the top of the seventh, Jacqueline Gonzalez doubled in both runners to give the Chargers the 4-2 lead.
Slater reached with a one-out single but was left stranded at third base as Charger starter Madison Dove induced a ground ball out to end the game and earn the complete game victory.
Slater went 3-for-3 with a triple in game one and added a 1-for-3 performance in game two. Colby Wyatt batted 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Pedersen batted 2-for-4 with a homer in the first game. Pedersen added a 1-for-3 performance in the nightcap.
Jen Fischbach was saddled with the loss in game one, tossing 1.1 innings while giving up three runs (two earned) and striking out a pair. Brooke Lachette took the loss in game two, tossing a complete game while striking out four and giving up 10 hits.
Monday's scheduled doubleheader at Bloomsburg has been rescheduled for April 20. Therefore the Wildcats are back in action on Tuesday as they continue their CACC schedule at Holy Family. The doubleheader in Philadelphia is scheduled for a 3 p.m. first pitch.