NEW CASTLE, Del. - - Kylee Gunkel and Renamarie Rocha handled the high-powered offense of Georgian Court, as the Wilmington University softball team swept the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference leaders, 8-0 in five innings, and 12-6 in the nightcap at Asbury Field.
The Wildcats have now won seven of their last eight overall, including five straight, improving to 22-14 overall and 10-2 in CACC play. The losses were the first of the season in CACC play for the Lions, as they had a 12-game winning streak snapped today. They are now 25-11 and 14-2 in CACC action.
GAME 1:
The Lions led off the game with a double to deep center field and put two runners on with a two-out walk, but Kylee Gunkel left both runners stranded and the Lions never threatened again in the game.
Emma Zimmerman was hit by a pitch while Gabbie Saucedo and Kiersten Comer singled to load the bases with one out in the second. Now with two outs, Courtney Dellinger came up with a big two-run single, giving the Wildcats an early 2-0 lead.
Gunkel walked the leadoff batter in the top of the third, but then induced a 4-6-3 double play to erase the runner, and that ended up being the last time the Lions reached base.
The Wildcats were able to distance themselves in the bottom of the third, plating six on four hits with two costly Lion errors.
The Wildcats loaded the bases without recording an out in the third. Gabbie Saucedo plated the first run with a sacrifice fly and then the Wildcats scored five more with two outs. Kiersten Comber hit a two-run single to left to make it 5-0, and then Courtney Dellinger reached as the infield couldn't decide who wanted a popup, scoring Comer for the 6-0 lead. Adriana Bueno then lifted on to left and that ball was dropped in the outfield, scoring two more for the 8-0 lead.
Gunkel set the Lions down in order in the fourth and then struck out the side in the top of the fifth to enforce the mercy rule and end the game, 8-0.
Kylee Gunkel improved to 11-8 on the year with the win, striking out eight while allowing a hit and two walks. It was her third complete game shutout on the year.
Kiersten Comer went 2-for-2 with two RBI. Courtney Dellinger finished 1-for-2 with two RBI as well.
GAME 2:
The Lions started the nightcap in a similar fashion, getting a leadoff double. But unlike the first game, Kylee Gunkel was unable to work around it as the Lions hit a three-run homer and tacked on another for a four-spot in the top of the first.
The Wildcats couldn't get anything going in the bottom of the first but Renamarie Rocha came in and settled things down in the circle, allowing the Wildcats to strike again.
In a span of two pitched, the Wildcats were on the board in the bottom of the second. Lauren Lopez led off the inning with a double to left and then Emma Zimmerman hit her first collegiate career homer on the next pitch, giving the Wildcats life, 4-2.
Kiersten Comer walked to restart the inning and Tristyn Stewart beat out a grounder to short to put two runners on. Courtney Dellinger came through again with a similar base right through the right side and Comer was able to score on a bobble by the right fielder. Now with two outs, Lexi Moore stepped in and split the outfielders in right, scoring two more and giving the Wildcats the 5-4 lead.
Rocha set the Lions down in order in the top of the third and the bats were at it again in the home half. Lauren Lopez singled to start the frame and Emma Zimmerman doubled to left center. Gabbie Saucedo kept a ball fair down the left field line, plating both with a double and the 7-4 lead. Kiersten Comer and Courtney Dellinger followed with RBI singles and the Wildcats led 9-4.
The Lions picked up a two-out RBI in the top of the fourth, but the Wildcats answered with a Lauren Lopez RBI single in the fifth. The Lions hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth inning to make it 10-6, but then the Wildcats added a pair of insurance run in the sixth with an RBI double from Tristyn Stewart and a sacrifice fly from Courtney Dellinger.
Renamarie Rocha worked around a leadoff single in the top of the seventh to earn the win, improving to 6-1 while pitching 6.2 innings of relief, allowing three runs (one earned) on eight hits.
Lauren Lopez, Emma Zimmerman, and Tristyan Stewart all ended with three hits while Lexi Moore, Gabbie Saucedo, and Courtney Dellinger added two hits each. Moore, Zimmermann, Saucedo, and Dellinger led with two RBI each in game two.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats have to turn right around and play on Friday morning, as they host Post in another CACC doubleheader ahead of having Easter Weekend off. The first pitch is set for 11:00 a.m. at Asbury Field.