Press Release Written by Sports Information Graduate Intern MaryKate Rumbaugh
WATERBURY, Conn. – Closing out their eight-game week, the Wilmington University softball team split contests with Post falling in the first game, 5-2, but coming back in the second game to win 12-3 in five innings at LaMoy Field on Sunday afternoon.
Game One:
The Wildcats (24-10, 12-2 CACC) started out slow in game one as they saw themselves down 3-0 by the third inning and could not come back from the early deficit.
The Eagles got on the board in the first inning with a two-run shot over the fence, before adding another run in the bottom of the third to take a 3-0 lead heading into the top of the fourth.
Lauren Lopez was able to get things started in the top of the fourth inning with a single for the Wildcats, before Makayla McCarthy followed her with a single herself. With one out, Alyssa Velasquez reached first on an error from the second baseman to score Lopez and make it two-run game, but the Eagles' two-run lead quickly expanded, as Post extended their lead in the bottom half of the inning with two more runs, to take it a 5-1 lead.
WilmU was able to get two runners on in the top of the sixth for Lexi Baughman, who doubled to score Annie Davila and put her and Velasquez in scoring position, but that would be all the Wildcats could get, as they went down in order in their final at bats.
Wilmington would have six hits, including one from Lexi Baughman, who went 1-for-2 with one RBI. Caitlyn Whiteside would go 3.1 innings, allowing six hits, five earned runs, and three strikeouts. Makayla McCarthy went 2.2 IP, allowing one hit with four strikeouts.
Game Two:
With their six-game win streak coming to a halt, the Wildcats' bats came alive in the second game as they had 15 hits in just five innings, to take the second game, 12-3.
It was WilmU's turn to get out to a fast start, as they scored in the top of the first on a single from Makayla McCarthy to score Kiana Broderson-Jones. With the bases loaded in top of the second inning, Broderson-Jones earned the walk to bring in Velasquez from third to take a 2-0 lead and force the Eagles into a pitching change. Lauren Lopez would be the next batter, who singled to bring in two runs, before she advanced to third and Broderson-Jones scored on a wild pitch. Makayla McCarthy would also get into the action, as she hit a one-out single to score Lopez and give the Wildcats a 6-0 lead.
Another five-run inning in the top of the fifth inning would seal the game for the Wildcats, as McCarthy and Annie Davila would single, before Alyssa Velasquez and Alexis Sann both reached on a fielder's choices to bring in runs and make it a 12-1 ballgame.
The Eagles would hit their second homerun of the game in the bottom half of the inning, but the Wildcats would escape with the eight-run rule, winning the contest, 12-3.
Lauren Lopez and Makyala McCarthy both went 3-for-4 with three RBI in the game, as Kiana Broderson-Jones went 2-for-2 with a triple and one RBI. Alyssa Velasquez had two hits and one RBI for the Wildcats, while Annie Davila and Alexis Sann both had one RBI.
Makayla McCarthy went 5.0 innings, allowing six hits, three earned runs, with three strikeouts to improve to 9-3.
Next Up:
The Wildcats have two days off before they travel to USciences on Wednesday. The doubleheader with the Devils starts at 2:00 p.m.