NEW CASTLE, Del. - - A pair of pitching performances highlighted Tuesday afternoon at Asbury Field, but the Wilmington University softball team could only come away with a split against Philadelphia in both team's Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference season debut.
An 11-day layoff didn't slow down red-hot Caitlyn Whiteside as she spun another complete game shutout in the opener, 2-0, for the Wildcats (11-6, 1-1 CACC). But the bats were slowed by the Rams (4-9, 1-1 CACC) in the nightcap as Philadelphia's Naomi Stas tossed a 1-0 complete game shutout to earn the split.
Whiteside (Bermuda Dunes, Calif/Shadow Hills) tossed her third straight complete game shutout, striking out seven batters while only allowing three hits. She has not allowed an earned run since the sixth inning against Stonehill on March 8, spanning a combined 22.1 innings. She allowed two unearned runs of that game as well, bringing her scoreless streak to 21.1 consecutive innings.
Whiteside didn't need much in the opener, but what she got came from the legs of Rosa'Lynn Burton. Burton doubled to right center to start the bottom of the first inning and quickly stole third base. Alyssa Velasquez safety squeezed her home for the game's first run. Burton was at it again in the third inning, starting the rally with a one-out walk. Burton stole second and took off for third on the next pitch. The throw down to third hit a fielder and away from the bag, allowing Burton to trot home for the 2-0 lead.
The Rams left a runner on base in the fourth and sixth innings, but only had a runner in scoring position once in the contest. Whiteside took care of the rest to move to 7-2 on the season.
Game two starter Danielle Bradley pitched just as well, but suffered the opposite fate for the Wildcats. The Rams scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the top of the second inning, which proved to be the game's only run.
The Wildcats left two runners on base in the bottom of the first inning and had two other innings of stranding one runner aboard. Stas set the Wildcats down in order from the fourth inning on.
Burton and Megan Brown each tallied one hit in each game to lead the Wildcats' offense on Tuesday.
The Wildcats are back in action on Thursday when they host West Chester at Asbury Field. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.