PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - - The Wilmington University softball team used its bats to secure a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader sweep at Jefferson, 9-0 and 6-4, to extend its winning streak to six straight games on Tuesday afternoon at the Jefferson Softball Field.
The Wildcats (25-12, 13-4 CACC) scored eight of their nine runs in the final three at-bats in the opener before scoring in the first two innings in the nightcap to lead to the CACC sweep. The Wildcats collected 11 hits in game one and eight more hits in game two.
Game One:
Leading 1-0 after four complete innings, the Wildcats broke out with a three run fifth, a two-run sixth, and a three-run seventh inning to widen the margin and win going away.
Makayla McCarthy gave herself a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, leading off the inning with a solo homer to left. With two runners on in the top of the fifth, Rosa'Lynn Burton hit a two-run triple to center field before coming home on an RBI ground out by Jazmeen Llamas
Burton's triple was one for the record books, as she surpassed Christin Headley's all-time record of 11 triples in her career. Burton collected seven triples as a freshman and now has 13 after two triples on Tuesday.
An error brought in the first run in the sixth before Mirabella Klebart gave the Wildcats a 6-0 lead with an RBI single.
Alyssa Velasquez collected an RBI in the top of the seventh before Lauren Lopez closed the scoring with a two-out, two-run single to right center.
Makayla McCarthy went the distance for the complete game shutout, striking out nine batters while not walking a Ram (13-15, 9-7 CACC).
Burton went 4-for-4 with a triple, two RBI and two runs scored. Lopez batted 3-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored. McCarthy batted 1-for-2 with a homer and three runs scored.
Game Two:
The bats continued in the early innings of the nightcap, scoring two runs in each of the first two frames. They plated two more in the top of the fourth and secured the sweep, 6-4.
Rosa'Lynn Burton remained red hot with her second triple of the afternoon to start game two and quickly came home as Jazmeen Llamas hit a bunt single. Llamas eventually came home on a wild pitch to make it 2-0.
Jordyn Virden walked to start the second and Burton was able to knock her around with an RBI double back up the middle. Alyssa Velasquez hit a fly ball to center with Burton on third, giving the Wildcats an early 4-0 lead.
Game two starter Caitlyn Whiteside allowed a two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the second, but only gave up three hits in the other six innings combined.
The Wildcats got two of those runs back in the top of the fourth, getting a one-out RBI double from Makayla McCarthy and an RBI ground out from Lauren Lopez.
Whiteside set the Rams down in order in the bottom of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, but gave up a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Whiteside moved to 13-5 on the season as she induced a ground out back to the circle for the final out.
Whiteside struck out seven Rams while only allowing five hits and one walk. Burton, Llamas, and McCarthy all collected two hits, with Burton hitting two extra base hits.
Next Up:
The Wildcats will put their six-game winning streak on the line on Wednesday afternoon when they travel o West Chester for a nonconference doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.