BENSALEM, Pa. - - Holy Family jumped out to early leads against the Wilmington University softball team, leading to the Wildcats being swept, 5-3 and 6-3, in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at Bensalem High School.
The Tigers (12-8, 6-0 CACC) used early runs in each end of the doubleheader before the Wildcats (13-12, 1-5 CACC) scored late in each contest but it was too little too late for the visitors.
Holy Family jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first of game one, using three hits including a leadoff triple off starter Caitlyn Whiteside. The Tigers added a pair of two-out RBI in the bottom of the third off reliever Brooklyn Lachette for the 3-0 lead.
Jazmeen Llamas put the Wildcats on the board in the top of the fifth inning with a two-out RBI, scoring Mirabella Klebart who started a one-out single. But that was all the Wildcats could get in the inning. The Tigers would get that run back in the bottom of the inning however, as they came up with another two-out RBI.
Down to their last at-bat, Becca Stanley started the top of the seventh off with a solo homer to left center. Klebart was hit by a pitch to start a rally, followed by singles from Whitney DeMora and Llamas. Rosa'Lynn Burton hit a sacrifice fly to bring the tying run to the plate with two outs, but Meghan Brown ground out to end the comeback bid.
The Tigers scored single runs in the bottom of the second and third innings before widening the gap to 4-0 with a two-run fourth inning in game two. Kaitlyn Slater put the Wildcats on the board in the top of the fifth inning with a solo homer to left center, but Holy Family gained the run back in the bottom of the frame. The Tigers would also add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth to extend the lead out to 6-1.
The Wildcats tried to make another late-game comeback, getting runners on second and third with two outs. Llamas singled to plate two runs and extend the inning, but Klebart fouled out to end the game.
Llamas went 3-for-3 with an RBI in the first game before going 1-for-4 with two RBI in the nightcap. Klebart went 2-for-4 with a double in game two for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats remain in CACC play but return home on Saturday to square off against Dominican. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Asbury Field.