Wildcats Jump Out to Early Leads in CACC Softball Sweep, 8-0 and 11-0, of Nyack

Wildcats Jump Out to Early Leads in CACC Softball Sweep, 8-0 and 11-0, of Nyack

Big innings in the early part of each game allowed the Wilmington University softball team to sweep a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader from Nyack, 8-0 and 11-0, in a pair of five-inning games on Saturday at Asbury Field.

The Wildcats (16-11, 7-5 CACC) scored twice in the bottom of the first before adding six runs in the bottom of the third in the opener, followed by three runs in the first and eight runs in the third in the nightcap on Saturday. The losses were the fifth and sixth straight in the CACC for the Warriors (3-16, 1-7 CACC).

Colby Wyatt started the scoring for the Wildcats in the bottom of the first in the first game, doubling to right center to score Cambria Ziemba. Danielle Bradley added an RBI single for the quick 2-0 lead.

Wyatt doubled again in the third to start the scoring, bringing in Kaitlyn Slater. Bradley added another RBI single before Michelle Panasiti doubled in Bradley for the 5-0 lead. Taylor Rizzotte picked up an RBI before Kelsey Doherty singled back up the middle for another run scoring hit. A Warrior error led to the final Wildcat run as Rizzotte crossed the plate, giving the Wildcats the 8-0 lead.

Game one starter Chelsea Botsch shut down the Warriors in order for the third time of the game in the fourth inning before handing the ball over to Shannon Brantley in the fifth. Brantley worked out a trouble in the inning, stranding a pair on base to enforce the eight run rule after 4.5 innings.

Botsch struck out seven while only allowing a hit and a walk to improve to 7-5 on the season. Wyatt and Bradley led the offense with two hits and two RBI each while five other Wildcats finished with one hit each.

The scoring started quickly again in the nightcap as Ashley Bennett launched her first home run of the season to center, bringing in the two runners on base for the 3-0 lead.

The Wildcats brought the eight-run rule into effect once again in the bottom of the third, scoring eight runs on four hits in the inning.

With the bases loaded, freshman Keara McCarthy singled into left for an RBI and the 4-0 lead. Katrina Swank walked to force in a run before Rice Fazio did the same for the 6-0 lead. Monique Rojas made it three straight bases loaded walks in the inning before Ziemba singled through the left side for another RBI single. Shannon McMahon delivered the big hit of the inning with a two-run double to left center, scoring Fazio and Rojas. Ziemba capped the scoring by crossing home on a wild pitch, giving the Wildcats an 11-0 lead.

The Warriors received a pair of hits in the top of the fourth, but game two starter Brooke Lachette induced a ground ball for the final out of the inning, leaving three Warriors on base for their best threat of the afternoon.

Lachette stranded two more on base in the top of the fifth, not allowing Nyack to score to bring an end to the game, 11-0.

Lachette pitched all five innings while picking up six strikeouts to improve to 6-4 on the year. The sophomore allowed only five hits and a walk in the game.

McCarthy led the Wildcats with a pair of hits in game two while Bennett led the way with three RBI.

The Wildcats remain in the CACC for their next four doubleheaders, but take their act on the road for their next contest. Wilmington heads to Felician on Tuesday for a double dip starting at 3 p.m.