NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University softball team got back in the win column on Thursday, scoring in every inning of a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader sweep of cross-town rival Goldey-Beacom, 10-0 and 10-2, at Asbury Field.
The Wildcats (12-12, 12-6 CACC) snapped a four-game losing streak with the sweep, and now sit alone in fourth place in the CACC standings.
GAME 1:
Haley Downin and Alexandra Ballester combined for a one hit shutout in the opener, striking out four while allowing five walks.
The offense produced 15 hits in the five-winning win, getting three each from lefties Alyssa Velasquez and Arianna Milan. Arianna Milan led the Wildcats with four RBI in the game, going 3-fr-3 with a double and two runs scored. Haley Downin also hit a double, going 2-for-3 with two RBI.
Downin started the Wildcats by hitting a leadoff double in the bottom of the first. Lauren Lopez opened the scoring with a one-out RBI single through the left side. Milan followed with a two-out RBI single to give the home team a 2-0 lead.
Haley Downin produced again in the bottom of the second, knocking in Danielle Hess and Courtney Dellinger with a two-run single up the middle for the early 4-0 lead. The Wildcats put another two-spot up in the third, getting RBI singles from Milan and Hess in the inning.
The Wildcats broke it open in the fourth, as the Wildcats put runners on first and third with one out. Velasquez brought in one run with a single and then Milan stayed hot with a two-run double to right center. Jessica Ahearn capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to score Milan, 10-0.
Haley Downin pitched the first four innings to improve to 5-1 on the year.
GAME 2:
The Wildcats continued the scoring into game two, scoring once in the first but broke out with a seven-run second inning to take command.
A throwing error chased Haley Downin around the bases in the bottom of the first, giving the home team the 1-0 lead.
Savannah Stone started the second inning off with a double to right center. She would score on a wild pitch and back-to-back walks would restart the inning. Downin then singled up the middle for another run before Sara Miller loaded the bases with an infield single. The Wildcats would plate three more on wild pitches before Alyssa Velasquez knocked in the sixth run of the inning with an RBI single. Isabella Eleazar capped the scoring with an RBI groundout, taking an 8-0 lead.
A two-run double put Goldey-Beacom on the board in the third but Alicia Bruce collected an RBI ground out in the third and Eleazar added an RBI double in the fourth to enforce the mercy rule. A line drive double play to Downin at second ended the game, 10-2.
Sara Miller batted 2-for-3 as the only Wildcat to record multiple hits. Eleazar led the offense with two RBI in the nightcap.
Ballester went the first two innings before Molly Dill came on and tossed three scoreless innings for her second win of the year.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats head to Bloomfield on Saturday for their next CACC doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.