Video Recap at Bottom of Page
NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University softball team went a perfect 4-0 this week, sweeping cross-town rival Goldey-Beacom, 3-0 and 8-0, on Thursday afternoon at Asbury Field.
Game One:
It was a pitcher's duel for the majority of the contest in game one, as Caitlyn Whiteside collected her second consecutive complete game shutout, improving to 16-8 on the year with five strikeouts and only allowing one walk and six hits.
Whiteside left two on in the second, and two on in the fifth, and only allowed one runner reach third base, coming in the second inning.
Taylor Beres kept the Wildcats down until the fifth inning, only allowing a one-out double to right center in the bottom of the third in the first time through the lineup. The Wildcats also went in order in the fourth before finally breaking out in the fifth.
An error started the rally with one out before Kiersten Comer walked to put two runners on with two outs. Jazmeen Llamas then singled on a grounder to second, and Courtney Dellinger never stopped around third and headed home. The throw home sailed high, allowing Dellinger to score the game's first run. Rosa'Lynn Burton then stepped in and stroked a two-run triple to left center, giving the Wildcats a 3-0 lead.
Whiteside than allowed a one-out single in the sixth and set the Lightning down in order in the seventh to finish off her second straight shutout.
Game Two:
The bats came alive in game two for the Wildcats (32-12, 20-4 CACC), as they scored four in the first, three in the second, and one in the fourth to enforce the eight-run mercy rule in the nightcap.
Speed was the name of the game early on for the Wildcats, as Rosa'Lynn Burton singled and stole second. Kiana Broderson-Jones then followed with a single to third base, and then raced all the way around as an errant throw to second from the catcher went all the way to the fence in right center.
Another error in the inning put runners on first and second with two outs, and Lauren Lopez singled back up the middle to score Makayla McCarthy from second for the 3-0 lead. Alyssa Velasquez then followed with a sacrifice fly to left, giving the Wildcats a 4-0 lead after one complete inning.
Burton was a catalyst again for the Wildcats, singling to the shortstop with one out before stealing second base. Kiana Broderson-Jones singled into left field, and the ball scooted under the glove of the left fielder, going all the way to fence while allowing Burton and Broderson-Jones to score once more, giving the Wildcats a 6-0 lead.
Courtney Dellinger restarted the rally with a bunt single, and Makayla McCarthy chased her all the way home with a triple over the head of the centerfielder.
The speed atop the lineup struck again for the Wildcats in the fourth, as Burton singled to the pitcher and again stole second. Broderson-Jones then laid down the sacrifice bunt, and Burton never stopped moving around third base, beating the throw to the plate and giving the Wildcats the 8-0 lead.
The Lightning (8-32, 6-16 CACC) put two runners on with one out in the fifth, but McCarthy picked up a strikeout and a pop up in the infield to end the game, 8-0.
McCarthy improved to 15-4 on the year with the win, striking gout four while allowing three runs and three walks in the shutout.
Rosa'Lynn Burton went 3-for-3 with three stolen bases and three runs scored in game two, improving to 50-for-50 on the base paths this season. Kiana Broderson-Jones went 2-for-2 with two runs scored as well.
Up Next:
The Wildcats step outside of the CACC for the final time in the regular season with their next doubleheader. They travel to Queens to take on the Knights on Tuesday, with the first pitch set for 2:30 p.m.
