DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - - The Wilmington University softball team climbed out of an early hole and eventually won game one in extra innings on Tuesday, earning a split at Embry-Riddle by winning game one, 6-5, but losing the nightcap, 7-1, at Radiology Associations Field.
GAME 1:
The Wildcats (6-4) were in an early 3-0 hole in the opener, as the Eagles (10-7) came out and scored in the first inning. But the Wildcats answered with two in the fourth, and single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to force extras. They were able to scores twice in the extra frame before holding off the Eagles' answer.
The Eagles had runners on second and third with no outs in the bottom of the first and scored three runs on three hits in the inning. Renamarie Rocha was able to leave runners on second and third though, escaping further damage.
The Wildcats got things going in the top of the fourth, as Lexi Moore started the frame with a single. Sara Miller hit one hard to third that got under the glove and Moore raced around to score from second. Renamarie Rocha then helped her own cause with a squeeze bunt, bringing the Wildcats to within 3-2.
The Eagles answered with a run in the bottom of the fourth, but the Wildcats collected a two-out RBI single from Haley Downin in the fifth to make it a 4-3 ballgame. Rocha shut down the Eagles in the fifth to bring the Wildcats back up.
Tristyn Stewart came up clutch with a two-out RBI single in the sixth, tying the game, 4-4. Delanie Sheehan came on and worked around a leadoff double in the sixth and then a leadoff hit by pitch in the seventh to force extra innings.
Jess Reed got hit by a pitch to start the eighth and then Gabriella Saucedo singled to put the runner on the corners. Saucedo took off for second and the throw got away, allowing Reed to score from third. Tristyn Stewart then beat out an infield single with two outs, allowing Saucedo to score and make it 6-4.
Sheehan got two quick outs in the eighth, but then three straight singles produced a run for the Eagles. But with the bases loaded, Sheehan got a grounder to second to end the game.
Lexi Moore and Tristyn Stewart had two hits each with Stewart leading the way with two RBI. Sheehan earned the win and is now 2-2 after throwing 3.0 innings and allowing one run on four hits.
GAME 2:
The Eagles scored three runs in each of the second and third innings and the Wildcats' offense couldn't string together hits in the nightcap.
The offense didn't get a base runner until the top of the third and their first hit until the top of the fourth. Their best chance came in the fifth as Isabella Eleazar started the inning with a double followed by a Bri Coyle single. But a line drive double play thwarted the inning, leaving two on base.
Haley Downin singled with two outs in the top of the sixth and then Sara Miller doubled her home for the Wildcats' lone run of the game.
The Eagles' Mallory Kinahan improved to 6-1 on the year with the win, throwing the complete game.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats travel to Melbourne, Florida, to take on Florida Tech on Wednesday night. The first pitch of the doubleheader is set for 4:00 p.m.
