NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University softball team sent 13 batters to the plate in the top of the first inning of game two, responding from dropping game one, 13-2, to take game two, 11-1, in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader against Post at Asbury Field on Tuesday.
In a wacky doubleheader between two of the top teams in the CACC, the Eagles (20-18, 16-6 CACC) put 13 runs on the board in two innings of game one, before the Wildcats (22-18, 14-6 CACC) scored all 11 runs in two innings in game two to earn the split.
After going down in order in the top of the first inning, Post put five runs on the board in the top of the second, using four walks and three hits to take a 5-0 lead.
The Wildcats started chopping at the large deficit, scoring a run in the third as Cambria Ziemba singled home Chelsea Botsch who hit a one-out triple. They made it 5-2 with another run in the fourth inning, getting an RBI single from Botsch, scoring Meghan Logullo from second base.
But the Eagles retaliated with two outs in the fifth inning, as a bases loaded double started a string of seven consecutive two out hits. The Eagles put eight on the board in the fifth, using eight hits and a pair of hit-by-pitches to start the inning.
Post's Kaitlin Derby picked up the win while pitching all five innings in the first game, walking one while allowing two runs on seven hits.
Having only thrown 78 pitches in the first game, Derby started in the circle for the Eagles in the second game as well. But the Wildcats were ready for the hurler, as they sent 13 batters to the plate in the bottom of the first, scoring eight runs on nine hits.
Botsch, Ziemba, and Colby Wyatt started the inning off with three straight singled, as Wyatt's scored Botsch with the game's first run. Michelle Panasiti loaded the bases with a bunt base hit, allowing Kelsey Doherty to knock in another run with a single into right field. Jen Fischbach knocked in a pair on an RBI single to left. Again with the bases loaded, Ziemba doubled down the line in left field, putting two more on the board for the Wildcats. A fielding error on a sharp grounder by Wyatt brought home the final run of the first inning for the Wildcats, giving the home team a quick 8-0 lead.
Game two starter Stephanie Sarris didn't allow a hit until the third inning and didn't allow a run until the top of the fifth. She improved to 11-6 on the year, striking out nine batters with only allowing four hits.
Kelsey Doherty doubled in two more runs in the bottom of the fourth, followed by an RBI single by Logullo to put the Wildcats ahead 11-0 and in line for the eight-run rule after four and a half innings of play.
Botsch went 4-for-7 from atop the Wildcat lineup on Tuesday, while Ziemba went 3-for-4 form the number two spot. The two batters tallied four runs on the afternoon, sparking the lineup once again.
Doherty tallied three RBI in game two while Ziemba, Wyatt, and Fischbach each finished with two RBI in the win.
The Wildcats take to the road for their next two doubleheaders as they head to NFCA No. 10 Caldwell on Thursday before heading to Dominican on Friday. The Wildcats return to Asbury Field on Saturday for a doubleheader against Bloomfield for Senior Day.