GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - - An unfortunate ending capped a long day at Janet L. Ficke Field for the Wilmington University softball team, as darkness played a role in a 2-1 loss to Adelphi on Sunday afternoon.
A doubleheader was scheduled to start at 1:00 was delayed and eventually turned into a single contest at 5:00 p.m., but the Wildcats (17-9) waited too long to get the bats going, scoring six runs in the top of the seventh to take a 7-2 lead.
The Wildcats got two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but the game was called due to darkness, meaning the game reverted back to the last completed inning, turning the game into a 2-1 loss for the visitors.
Rosa'Lynn Burton started the game with a bunt single, but the only other hit the visitors collected before the sixth inning was a two-out double by Jazmeen Llamas in the third, but both runners were left on base.
Adelphi (13-12) turned a leadoff walk in the bottom of the third into a quick 2-0 lead. The next batter doubled down the left field line to score the first run before a sacrifice bunt and a passed ball had the Panthers up 2-0.
The Wildcats had runners on first and second with one out in the fourth but left both runners on before going down in order in the fifth.
Kiana Broderson-Jones started the top of the sixth with a one-out single and stolen base. Alyssa Velasquez walked and Lauren Lopez cute the deficit in half with an RBI single to right.
It looked as though the Wildcats were going to keep scoring in the inning, loading the bases with only one out. But the Panthers picked up a strikeout and a fly ball to left to end the threat and the inning still ahead, 2-1.
Makayla McCarthy was tagged with the tough luck loss, tossing 4.0 innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with three walks. Caitlyn Whiteside pitched two innings and didn't allow a run on four hits.
The Wildcats return to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action with their next doubleheader, welcoming Jefferson to Asbury Filed on Tuesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.