WILMINGTON, Del. - - The winning streak extended to six games for the Wilmington University softball team as they used two strong pitching performances to ease by Goldey-Beacom in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action at the Jackson Athletic Complex on Tuesday afternoon.
Katie Warrington struck out nine batters in a five-inning complete game shutout, 8-0, in game one of the doubleheader before Chelsea Botsch struck out nine more batters in game two in a seven-inning complete game, 6-2, to pick up the sweep in the opening week of conference play for the 'Cats.
Wilmington (10-15, 2-0 CACC) won its final four games during its two week trip to Claremont, Fla., but has not played since its last game on March 10. The layoff did not hurt the pitching staff, as they helped the Wildcats stretch the winning streak to six straight with the sweep.
The Wildcats struck early and often in game one, setting the tone for Warrington the rest of the way. Shelby Thompson led off the game with a single and moved to second on a throwing error by the shortstop. Two batters later, Christin Headley doubled into left field, scoring Thompson for the game's first run. That would be all the run support Warrington would need on this day.
Wilmington added three more runs in the second as Thompson, Brooke Berger and Kinsley Parker all had hits in the inning. Parker smacked a triple to center field, scoring Berger from third for the innings' final run.
Parker added two more RBI's with a single in the fourth inning, scoring Headley and Berger to make it 6-0. Jillian Stafford followed Parker with a triple right field, easily scoring Parker from third for the 7-0 lead. The only thing missing from Parker's line score in game one was a home run, as she completed the 8-0 mercy rule victory with an RBI double to center field, scoring Thompson from third. Parker went 4-for-4 with four RBI's and a run scored in the first game of the doubleheader.
The only scare for Warrington was in the bottom of the first inning, as back-to-back singles by the Lightning (11-6, 2-2 CACC) loaded the bases with one out. But the junior picked up consecutive strikeouts to get out of the jam and keep the score at 1-0 at that point. She only gave up two hits the rest of the game.
Game two did not go as smoothly for the Wildcats, as they scored all six of their runs in the last three innings to ensure the sweep.
Botsch pitched another gem for the 'Cats, but allowed Goldey-Beacom to get out in front early, giving up a solo home run to this week's CACC Rookie of the Week Samantha Alonzo in the bottom of the first.
The freshman settled in from there, keeping the Lightning to the lone run though the fourth inning, allowing the offense to find its rhythm. Kristin Garvin lead off the top of the fifth with a single into centerfield, then the Wildcats used two errors by the home team to score two runs and take the lead. Garvin and Botsch scored the two runs, as Garvin was the lone Wildcat to pick up a hit in the inning.
Now with the game tied at 2-2 in the top of the sixth, Amanda Crockett stroked an RBI double to right center, scoring pinch runner Jessica Hassman with what would end up being the game winning run from third.
Botsch shut down the Lightning offense in the bottom half of the sixth, picking up to more strikeouts allowing the Wildcat offense to put the game away with three more runs in the seventh. Thompson picked up the only hit for the 'Cats in the inning, but the visitors were able to cross the plate three times on three errors by Goldey-Beacom.
Botsch improved to 2-4 in her first collegiate campaign with the win, giving up seven hits on two runs with the nine strikeouts. The Wildcats were held to three hits in game two, but were helped out by five GBC errors. Thompson, Garvin and Crockett each tallied a hit in game two.
After 25 games on the road, the Wildcats finally return to Asbury Field this Saturday, as they welcome Felician College to New Castle for the Wildcats' 2012 home opener. The CACC doubleheader is slated for a 1 p.m. start.
