USciences Sweeps Wilmington Softball, 5-4 and 7-4

Copyright 2022; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo by Dan Lauletta. March 31, 2022 vs. Felician.
Copyright 2022; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. Photo by Dan Lauletta. March 31, 2022 vs. Felician.

NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The University of the Sciences hot play continued on Wednesday as they swept a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader from the Wilmington University softball team, 5-4 and 7-4, at Asbury Field.

The Devils (8-19, 6-3 CACC) are on a six-game winning streak, the best since 2013. It is the first time the Devils swept the Wildcats (15-13, 4-2 CACC) since the 2010 season. The Devils swept Dominican and Nyack prior to today's games.

GAME 1:

Trailing 4-0, the Devils scored a run in the fifth, three in the sixth, and one in the seventh to come back and beat the Wildcats.

The Wildcats left three runners on in the first two innings, but came through in the third. Taylor Gillis started the inning with a walk and a stolen base. Lexi Moore singled her home for the game's first run. Lauren Lopez executed a squeeze play to score Moore and then Gabbie Saucedo singled to restart the inning. Following a Kiersten Comer single, Emma Zimmerman followed with an RBI single, giving the Wildcats the 3-0 lead.

Taylor Gillis sparked the fourth inning as well, hitting a leadoff double to left. Haley Downin collected a one-out RBI, singling to right center and the Wildcats led 4-0.

A two-out RBI in the top of the fifth put the Devils on the board and then they tied the game in the sixth. A single and a hit-by pitch put two runners on and then a single set the wheels in motion. The single scored the first run, but then the second run came home on a throwing error by Gillis in center. A single, a walk, and a sac fly later and the game was tied, 4-4.

The Wildcats went down in order in the sixth and the Devils rallied again in the seventh. Three straight singles with one out produced the fifth run for the visitors, taking the lead, 5-4.

The Wildcats again went down in order in the seventh to end the game.

Taylor Gillis went 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Kiersten Comer went 2-for-3 as well.

GAME 2:

The Wildcats scored single runs in the first two innings but the Devils answered with a six-run fourth inning.

Taylor Gillis stole home in the bottom of the first for the game's first run but then a leadoff walk and an BRI double by the Devils tied the game in the top of the second. Kiersten Comer walked to start the second and was standing on third following a sacrifice bunt and a fly ball to right. Tristyn Stewart beat out a single to the pitcher, scoring Comer for the 2-1 lead.

Taylor Hamm homered in the fourth to tie the game 2-2. The Devils then collected three straight hits to load the bases with only one out. An RBI single gave the Devils the lead and then an error by Lopez at short added another run. The Devils added a sacrifice fly and a two-out, two-run single, taking a 7-2 lead after the top of the fourth.

The Wildcats tried to mount a comeback in the sixth, as Haley Downin walked and Lauren Lopez singled to start the frame. Now with runners on first and third with one out, Gabbie Saucedo doubled to the gap in left center to score both runners and cut the deficit to 7-4. But the Devils got out of the jam with back-to-back ground outs.

Taylor Gillis, Haley Downin, and Gabbie Saucedo each had two hits, with Saucedo leading the way with two RBI.

UP NEXT:

The Wildcats will regroup and look to Saturday as they head across town to take on Goldey-Beacom. The first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.