WATERBURY, Conn. - - Alexandra Ballester and Haley Downin tossed complete game shutouts as the Wilmington University softball team swept Post, 2-0 and 9-0, in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action on Saturday at LaMoy Field.
The two pitchers only allowed six hits in 12 innings of work and Downin helped herself at the plate, batting 6-for-7 on the afternoon with her first collegiate career home run, two RBI, and three runs scored.
GAME 1:
An unearned run in the top of the first was all Alexandra Ballester needed, as she improved to 5-3 in the circle with her second complete game shutout of the year. She struck out nine while allowing five hits and two walks.
Haley Downin started the game off with a single into center and was standing on third with one out. Lauren Lopez pulled one to third that got through the third baseman, allowing Downin to score for the game's first run.
The Wildcats left two runners on base in each of the second, third, fourth, and fifth innings, never finding that final hit to score the runs. They had runners on second and third and no outs in the third, but couldn't touch home plate.
With one out in the top of the seventh, Annie Davila homered to center for her seventh of the season, adding an insurance run for Ballester.
Although thankful, Ballester didn't need the second run, as she sent Post down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh to take game one, 2-0.
Downin batted 3-for-4 with a run in the opener while Davila batted 2-for-4 with the homer.
GAME 2:
The Wildcats again scored a single run in the top of the first, but this time it came off the bat of Haley Downin in the form of her first career collegiate home run to lead off the game.
She then stepped into the circle and set the first six Eagles down in order, allowing the offense to come back up in the top of the third.
Downin did it again in the third, singling in Danielle Hess to start a five-run rally. Downin stole home, Lauren Lopez bunted in a run, and then Annie Davila tied her personal best for a single season with her eighth homer of the year, a two-run shot for the 6-0 lead. Davila also hit eight homers in the 2019 season.
Lauren Lopez doubled in two more runs in the fourth and Arianna Millan added one final run in the top of the fifth with a single swing, connecting for her first collegiate career homer.
Downin did not allow a base runner until the 12th batter of the game for the Eagles. She left that two-out single at first to end the fourth, and a two-out walk at first in the fifth to end the game.
She finished with four strikeouts while allowing only one hit and one walk. She is now 4-1 on the year. She also batted 3-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Annie Davila went 2-for-3 with two RBI while Arianna Millan also batted 2-for-3 in the win.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats head back north on Sunday, as they travel to Molloy for a nonconference doubleheader. The first pitch of game one is set for 1:00 pm.