NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The bats never got going in an opening game loss to Post, 2-1, but the Wilmington University softball team battled back in the nightcap to earn the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference split, 4-1, on Friday afternoon at Asbury Field.
GAME 1:
The Eagles (15-15, 9-9 CACC) scored two runs on two hits in the top of the first and then Kylee Gunkel settled in and only allowing one more the rest of the game. But the offense could never solve Eagle starter Brianna Koref, falling in the opener, 2-1.
Lexi Moore singled in the first and advanced to second on a passed ball, but she was left there as the Wildcats hit back-to-back grounders to the left side. Arianna Millan hit a two-out single in the second, but she was left at first. Gabbie Saucedo was left stranded on third in the third inning while Emma Zimmerman was left at second after a leadoff walk in the fourth.
Gabbie Saucedo and Lexi Moore singled with two outs in the fifth, but the Eagles' Brianna Koref induced a ground ball to third to get out of the jam. Pinch runner Bella Eleazar was standing on third base with one out in the bottom of the sixth, but the Wildcats couldn't bring her home as they grounded out to short and to first base to end the inning.
Tristyn Stewart started the bottom of the seventh with a single and Courtney Dellinger reached on an error to put the tying run on base. Stewart stole home on a first and third play for the team's first run. Dellinger was sacrificed over to third base with one out, but Lexi Moore's liner was caught by the third baseman and Lauren Lopez grounded out to short to end the game, 2-1.
Gabbie Saucedo and Lexi Moore finished with two hits for the Wildcats. Kylee Gunkel took the tough loss while throwing all seven innings, striking out six while allowing two runs on three hits.
GAME 2:
Post was at it again in the first inning of game two, as the first three batters singled to start the game. A run came home on a fielder's choice but then starter Renamarie Rocha got a 4-6-3 double play to get out the jam with only allowing the single run.
Rocha then set the Eagles down in order in the second and third, allowing the offense to get rolling. With two outs and no one on, Lexi Moore tripled to the gap in right center in the bottom of the third. Gabbie Saucedo followed with a double to the same gap, tying the game, 1-1.
Kiersten Comer broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out double over the head of the right fielder, scoring Emma Zimmerman. Courtney Dellinger gave the Wildcats a 3-1 lead with a single to left, as Comer came barreling through a stop sign at third to score.
Gabbie Saucedo was the catalyst again in the bottom of the fifth, hitting a one-out triple past a diving centerfielder. Haley Downin then lined one to right field, but right to the fielder which was deep enough for a sacrifice fly, 4-1.
The Eagles got a leadoff single in the top of the seventh, but Rocha left her at first base, striking out two batters before inducing a popup to Downin at second for the final out.
Gabbie Saucedo finished 2-for-3 with a double and triple while Kiersten Comer went 2-for-3 with a double. Rocha improved to 7-1 with the win, striking out four while allowing one run on seven hits.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats take to the road for their next doubleheader, as they take on Dominican on Wednesday afternoon. The first pitch is set for 2:30 p.m. in Orangeburg, New York.
