Copyright 2016; WIlmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Becca Stanley taken by Frank Stallworth.
WEST CHESTER, Pa. - - Nationally ranked No. 15 West Chester was too much for the Wilmington University softball team, as the Wildcats had their 10-game winning streak snapped, 3-2 and 8-0, on Tuesday afternoon at the WCU Softball Field.
The Wildcats (16-14) had chances in the first game but left nine runners on base before the Golden Rams (33-3) scored early and often in the nightcap for the five-inning victory and sweep.
The Golden Rams opened the scoring in the second inning of game one, loading the bases with two walks an error with only one out. Another walk forced in the game's first run, forcing a change in the circle. Brooklyn Lachette allowed a second run in the inning, but limited the damage to just that after a grounder and a strike out.
The Wildcats struck right back in the top of the third, as Taylor Rizzotte singled to start a one out rally. Singles from Becca Stanley and Jazmeen Llamas loaded the bases and Cambria Ziemba broke the ice with a sacrifice fly to left. But that's all the Wildcats would get as the Rams got out of the jam with a strikeout.
The offense loaded the bases again with one out in the top of the fourth, but the Wildcats could only tie the game, 2-2, with a Stanley walk.
The Rams regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth, getting a big two-out single down the right field line to score the runner from second. An error helped extend the inning for the Rams in the fifth.
The Wildcats had another chance in the sixth, as they again loaded the bases in the inning. Danielle Bradley and Rizzotte singled with two outs before Stanley loaded the bases with a walk. But the Rams induced a fly ball out to escape the jam and keep the lead for the eventual win.
Game two started out with a bang for the Golden Rams, as the first three batters reached base in the first. A sacrifice fly put the first run on the board before three-run homer opened the lead to 4-0 after the first.
Two more runs on three hits in the second put the home team ahead 6-0 before the were able to score the final two runs on a double and single in the bottom of the fifth to bring on the mercy rule.
The Wildcats' best chance came in the top of the third, as they had runner son first and second with only one out. Now with runner son second and third with two outs, Ziemba grounded out to second to end the threat.
Bradley and Rizzotte collected two hits each for the Wildcats in the opener before Stanley led the offense in the nightcap by going 2-for-3. Lachette dropped to 3-5 with the game one loss before Caitlyn Whiteside fell to 5-4 with the loss in game two.
The Wildcats will look to get back to their winning ways as they return to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action on Wednesday afternoon. The team heads to Philadelphia for another road doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.