CLERMONT, Fla. - - The Wilmington University softball team started its Florida Trip with a pair of losses to perennial power houses on Monday night, falling to nationally No. 13 Southern Indiana, 3-2, before falling to Minnesota State Mankato, 9-0, at the National Training Center.

A late game comeback fell just short against the nationally ranked No. 13 Southern Indiana, as the Wildcats (3-5) had the tying run on third base in the top of the seventh inning, but couldn't score the equalizer. The Wildcats then ran into a buzzsaw in Minnesota State Mankato pitcher Coley Ries, as the Mustangs pulled away late for the 9-0 victory in the nightcap.

The Wildcats didn't pick up their first hit of the game against Southern Indiana until the seventh inning, but they nearly came all the way back for the upset. Southern Indiana got on the board with a solo homer in the fourth inning before scoring twice in the sixth on a pair of RBI singles.

Southern Indiana's Caitlyn Bradley had a perfect game through six innings but Rosa'Lynn Burton started the top of the seventh inning with an infield single. Burton quickly stole second and came around to score on a throwing error off the bat of Alyssa Velasquez. Now with one out, Colby Wyatt doubled to the gap in right center to score Velasquez and bring the Wildcats to within 3-2.

Bradley buckled down to get the second out of the inning, but the Wildcats were able to get runners on first and third following another error. But the Wildcats popped up to end the threat and end the comeback bid.

In the nightcap, the Wildcats ran into Minnesota State Mankato's ace, who ended up with 17 strikeouts in the game. She was backed by two runs in the third inning, three in the fifth inning, one in the sixth, and three more in the seventh for the victory. The Wildcats only put one runner on second base in the game.

Wyatt collected the Wildcats' first hit of the game in the second inning, but was left at first as the inning ended. Burton singled with two outs in the third and stole second, but was left there as Reis picked up another strikeout to end the inning. Kaitlyn Slater and Taylor Cappella also added singles for the Wildcats.

The Wildcats return to action on Tuesday when they take on Le Moyne and Findlay at the National Training Center. First pitch against Le Moyne is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. followed by the game against Findlay at 6:00 p.m.