BROOKVILLE, N.Y. - - Wilmington University junior Rosa'Lynn Burton became the softball program's all-time career hits leader on Sunday, but the Wildcats were downed twice in a pair of close games against LIU Post, 3-2 and 6-4, at the LIU Softball Complex.
Burton (Dover, Del./Caesar Rodney) tied the mark with her 201st career hit in game one, but then broke the record with a double to left center in the top of the fifth in game two.
Game One:
The Wildcats (11-8) struck first in the opener, as Burton led off the game with an infield single and stole second base. Two batters later, Alyssa Velasquez hit a fly ball down the left field line, deep enough to score Burton from third base.
The Pioneers (14-4) had an answer for the Wildcats in the bottom of the first though, taking the lead with a two-out rally. A two-out double started the rally before a single, and an RBI double gave the home team the 2-1 lead.
Alyssa Velasquez doubled to start the top of the fourth inning for the Wildcats, and the Wildcats had runners on second and third with no outs. But the Wildcats would only score one in the inning, as Kiersten Comer singled in Velasquez to tie the game, 2-2.
Another two-out run helped the Pioneers regain the lead in the bottom of the fifth, as Patricia Dunn singled into left center with a runner on second. A bobble in the outfield allowed the runner to make the turn at third and score what would be the winning run.
The Wildcats had a shot in the top of the seventh, as Jazmeen Llamas walked and Angele Antonini singled with only one out. But LIU Post buckled down and picked a strikeout and a fly ball to end the game.
Kiersten Comer led the Wildcats with a 2-for-3 game at the plate. Caitlyn Whiteside dropped to 7-5 with the loss, allowing three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts.
Game Two:
The Wildcats battled back from a 3-0 hole to take the lead in the nightcap, but a pair of homers late in the game pushed the Pioneers to the nonconference sweep.
Trailing 3-0 in the top of the fourth, it was the Wildcats that had a pair of two-out RBIs. Angela Antonini singled in Kiana Broderson-Jones before Lauren Lopez singled in Antonini to bring the Wildcats to within 3-2.
Back-to-back doubles from Burton and Lexi Baughman to start the top of the fifth inning produced the game-tying run, 3-3, before Burton beat out an infield single in the top of the sixth with the bases loaded to give the Wildcats a 4-3 lead.
Whiteside got the first two outs of the bottom of the sixth, but then Allie Laird homered to right center to tie the game once again, 4-4.
The Wildcats left a runner on in the top of the seventh, and then the Pioneers ended it with a walk-off. With two outs and a runner on first, Leah Mele sent a shot to left field, clearing the fence for the walk-off celebration, 6-4.
Kiana Broderson-Jones, Angela Antonini, Lauren Lopez, Caitlyn Whiteside, and Rosa'Lynn Burton all had two hits in game two. Whiteside struck out six in the game but fell to 7-6 on the year.
Up Next:
The Wildcats remain in nonconference play for their next doubleheader, as they welcome West Chester to Asbury Field on Tuesday afternoon. The doubleheader will begin at 2:30 p.m.