NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University softball team swept a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader from Holy Family, winning 8-0 and 5-4, on Tuesday afternoon at Asbury Field.
GAME 1:
Kylee Gunkel struck out a season best nine batters in the opener, allowing only two hits and a walk while approving to 10-8 on the year with the complete game shutout.
After Holy Family couldn't come up with a two-out hit in the top of the first, the Wildcats' Haley Downin hit a two-out single back up the middle in the bottom of the first to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
Lexi Moore started the bottom of the third off with a leadoff single and then Lauren Lopez kept the inning alive with a two-out walk. Emma Zimmerman followed with a two-out doubled to left center, scoring both runner and the 3-0 lead. Kiersten Comer kept the inning alive by reaching on an error and then two batters later Courtney Dellinger beat out an infield single, giving the Wildcats a 5-0 lead.
Kylee Gunkel allowed two hits in the top of the first and then set down the Tigers in order in each of the next four innings, including striking out two batters in the top of the fifth to bring the Wildcats back to the plate.
Lauren Lopez led off the fifth with a solo homer and then the Wildcats loaded the bases with their next three batters. Courtney Dellinger singled to bring another run and the Adriana Bueno ended the game with another RBI single to right center, giving the Wildcats an 8-0 lead.
Tristyn Stewart and Courtney Dellinger led the Wildcats with three hits each while Emma Zimmerman and Dellinger led with two RBI each.
GAME 2:
Renamarie Rocha tossed a complete game for her fifth win of the season, striking out six batters while allowing four runs on eight hits. She improved to 5-1 on the year with the win.
Lauren Lopez kept the momentum going for the Wildcats in the bottom of the first inning, hitting a two-run single to left center for an early 2-0 lead.
The Tigers answered with a three-run homer in the top of the third inning, but the Wildcats answered right back in the home half. Gabbie Saucedo led off the inning with a single and the Haley Downin was hit by a pitch. Lauren Lopez followed with another RBI single, tying the game, 3-3. Emma Zimmerman singled to load the bases and then Arianna Millan gave the Wildcats the lead for good with an RBI ground out.
The Wildcats scored another run in the bottom of the fourth inning, proving to be the game-winner, 5-3. The Tigers started a rally in the top of the sixth with two outs, getting a double and a single to score a run, 5-4. But Rocha induced a grounder to third to end the threat, keeping the Wildcats in front, 5-4. She then put the Tigers down in order in the top of the seventh to earn the sweep.
Lexi Moore, Gabbie Saucedo, Lauren Lopez, and Emma Zimmerman all had two hits in game two while Lopez led with three RBI in the game.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats welcome CACC leading Georgian Court to Asbury Field on Thursday in a CACC doubleheader. The first pitch of the set is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.