Copyright 2016; Wilmington University. All rights reserved. File photo of Caitlyn Whiteside against USciences, taken by Frank Stallworth

SHIRLEY, N.Y. - - The second inning swayed the momentum in both directions during a doubleheader at Dowling on Friday afternoon, with the Wilmington University softball team taking game one, 8-2, before falling in game two, 6-3, at Golden Lions Field.

The Wildcats (19-15) produced seven runs in the top of the second inning in game one to propel them the victory, but the Golden Lions (8-20) answered back with a five-run second inning of game two to carry them to the nonconference split on Friday.

The Wildcats loaded the bases without recording an out to start the second inning in game one before Colby Wyatt started the scoring with an RBI single through the left side. Jazmeen Llamas continued the hitting with another single to left to bring in Shannon Brantley for the 2-0 lead. Taylor Rizzotte brought in another run on a fielder's choice before Becca Stanley made it 4-0 with an RBI single through the left side.

The Golden Lions picked up two outs at the plate but couldn't get out of the inning before Danielle Bradley doubled and cleared the bases, putting the visitors up 7-0.

Brantley started the top of the fifth inning with a leadoff triple and Kaitlyn Slater brought her home with a single for the 8-0 lead.

That was more than enough for starter Caitlyn Whiteside, as set the Golden Lions down in order in each of the first four innings. She then recorded the 13^th straight out to begin the game before allowing a single to right to end the perfect game. The Golden Lions than picked up back-to-back two-out doubles to get on the scoreboard, extending the game as the Wildcats led 8-2 after five innings.

Brooklyn Lachette came on for the bottom of the seventh and induced a line drive double play and a comebacker to the circle to end the game, 8-2.

Bradley, Slater, and Llamas each contributed two hits with Bradley and Slater each hitting a double. Bradley led the team with three RBI in game one. Whiteside improved to 7-4 on the year with the win.

The momentum didn't carry over into the nightcap however, as the Golden Lions scored five runs on only one hit, and used one Wildcats error to erase the visitors' 1-0 lead. Dowling scored on a wild pitch, two runs on a throwing error, on another wild pitch, and on a swinging strikeout.

A solo home run in the fourth pushed the Dowling lead to 6-1 after four innings. The Wildcats tried to comeback in the top of the seventh, scoring twice with two outs. Cambria Ziemba tripled in Rizzotte before the senior scored on a pass ball. Meghan Brown followed with a single but the Golden Lions picked up a ground ball out to end the threat, and the game.

Six different batters collected a hit in game two, with Ziemba's triple the only extra base hit. Lachette fell to 4-6 on the year with the loss.

Saturday's doubleheader at Nyack has already been pushed to Monday afternoon. The times for the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference twin billing have not been announced.