KUTZTOWN, Pa. - - Timely hitting and strong pitching proved to be the winning formula for the Wilmington University softball team as they swept a nonconference doubleheader, 3-2 and 3-0, at Kutztown on Saturday afternoon at North Campus Field.
In a matchup of regionally ranked teams, it was the East Region No. 6 Wildcats (29-16) that came up with the big hits with runners in scoring position. Danielle Bradley and Caitlyn Whiteside held firm in the circle for the Wildcats as well, not allowing the Atlantic Region's No. 3 Golden Bears (25-12) to get anything going offensively.
Bradley pitched well in the opener, but it was the arm of Becca Stanley that saved the game for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats got on the board first in the opener, getting a two-run double from Whitney DeMora in the top of the second. She plated pinch runner Jayme Richardson and Mirabelle Klebart for the 2-0 lead.
Rosa'Lynn Burton started the top of the third with a leadoff single and Kaitlyn Skater loaded the bases with only one out with a single to right. Colby Wyatt gave the Wildcats a 3-0 lead with single to center, but Jazmeen Llamas was gunned down looking to add on, getting thrown out at the plate on the play.
Bradley set the Golden Bears down in order in the fourth, but ran into trouble with two outs in the fifth. Kutztown got on the board on a wild pitch and then produced some first and third magic to steal a run and get within 3-2. Bradley settled down and earned a ground ball out to end the inning.
The starter put the Golden Bears down in order in the sixth and got two quick outs to start the seventh. But a single and walk but the Golden Bears in business and Sara Keeny came up with a single into center. Angie Carty rounded third looking to tie the game, but Stanley delivered a bullet and Klebart applied the tag for the out and the victory.
Bradley is 7-0 in her last eight starts to improve to 11-5 on the season. She allowed two runs on seven hits.
The Wildcats struck early once again in the nightcap, getting an unearned run in the top of the first. Burton's speed forced a throwing error to start the game and Alyssa Velasquez plated her on a squeeze play.
Whiteside then went to work in the circle, leaving a runner on third to end the first and another on second to end the third. She got out of a first and third jam in the fourth to allow the bats to add on in the fifth.
Meghan Brown led off the inning with a walk and Stanley moved her into scoring position with a sac bunt. Now with two outs, Llamas came up with an RBI single for the 2-0 lead.
Slater led off the top of the sixth with her eight homer of the season, setting a new single season program record, and giving the visitors a 3-0 lead.
Whiteside worked around a leadoff single in the sixth and set the Golden Bears down in order in the seventh for her 10th complete game shutout of the season, tying Chelsea Botsch for the most in a single season in program history. She improved to 14-7 with the win. She only allowed five hits while striking out three.
The Wildcats play another PSAC foe on Sunday as they return home to square off against Shippensburg. The first pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at Asbury Field. Sunday is also Military Appreciation Day as Asbury Field.