Press release written by Mitchell Coll
NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University softball team earned their 20th and 21st victories of the 2023 season in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference sweep over Jefferson, 10-5 and 8-1, at Asbury Field on Tuesday afternoon.
Game 1:
Delani Sheehan improved to 8-5 overall in the circle for the Wildcats. Sheehan went five and two-thirds innings, allowing three runs, one earned, and five strikeouts.
In the bottom of the first, the lead-off hitter for the Wildcats, Taylor Gillis, did her job by getting on base with a base hit up the middle. Then Jess Reed singled with a bunt that helped Gillis to be second. Then Sara Miller hit the ball long enough to score Gillis from second on a sacrifice fly, allowing the Wildcats to strike early.
In the bottom of the second, the Wildcats could damage by having runners on base with two outs. First, Bri Coyle and Emma Zimmerman had back-to-back singles. Then, Tristyn Stewart hit the ball well enough to help score Coyle and extend the Wildcats' lead to 2-0 through two complete innings.
Gabbie Saucedo collected one of her four RBI in the first game in the third inning. Lexi Moore, standing on third, came home from a bunt by Saucedo to the pitcher.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Wildcats added a cushion with four runs scored. Jess Reed picked up two RBI with a double down the left-field line. Sara Miller and Gabbie Saucedo also picked up RBIs in the innings.
Freshman Brooke Koehler came on in relief of Sheehan in the sixth inning. Koehler earned the Wildcats' first save of the year as she came on with the tying run at the plate. Koehler pitched one and one-third innings, two earned runs, and a strikeout, for the save and game-one victory.
Game Two:
Kylee Gunkel earned her 10th win of the season, pitching six and two-thirds innings, giving up only one run on seven hits and striking out seven. Gunkel struck out five of the seven batters in three innings, including a three-strikeout inning in the second.
The Wildcats gave Gunkel run support early as Lexi Moore was able to score Taylor Gillis, and Gabbie Saucedo opened up with a double that scored Moore.
A spectacular catch by Gabbie Saucedo at the warning track in left field sparked the Wildcats to four runs in the bottom of the third. Haley Downin, Arianna Millan, Cassidy Zelano, and Tristyn Stewart all earned RBI in the inning as the Wildcats also picked up four hits.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Wildcats extended their lead to 8-1 with Gabbie Saucedo's double down the right field line that scored Moore and then a Bella Eleazar RBI that scored Saucedo.
Gabbie Saucedo led the day with six hits, going 6-for-8 with three doubles and six RBI. Lexi Moore went 4-for-8 with three runs and three stolen bases in the doubleheader as well.
The Wildcats will be back in action on Thursday, April 6, at Asbury Field at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., weather permitting.
