WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – The Wilmington University softball team dropped their first two contests of the 2020 campaign to Western Oregon in eight innings, 3-2 and Grand Valley State, 6-2 Sunday afternoon at the Winter Haven Diamond Plex.
Game One vs. Western Oregon
Through her first four and one third innings, freshman Haley Downin did not let up a hit to Western Oregon (10-7), keeping them off the bases. Wilmington (0-2) would plate their first run of the contest in the top of the first inning, as Rosa'Lynn Burton started off the game with a bunt single to third base. Alyssa Velasquez would advance Burton to third on another bunt single, before Burton could score on a Wolves error to give WilmU a 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats would have chances up until the fifth inning, but would leave runners in scoring position. The Wolves would tie the game up at 1-1 on a homerun to center to take away Downin's no-hitter. WilmU would have another chance in the top of the seventh with a runner on third, but could not convert, as extra innings were needed.
With two outs in the top of the eighth, freshman Sara Miller gave the Wildcats the go-ahead run with a single to right field that scored Alyssa Carrion. Wilmington's one-run lead would not hold on though, as the Wolves plated two runs with two outs to come from behind and take the contest, 3-2.
Carrion would go 3-for-4 with one run, as Alyssa Velasquez (one RBI), Lauren Lopez, and Sara Miller (one RBI) each went 2-for-4. Haley Downin went 7.2 innings, allowing five hits with four strikeouts.
Game Two vs. Grand Valley State
It was a quiet first and second innings for both teams, before a big third inning from Grand Valley State (3-3) gave them an early 3-0 lead over the Wildcats.
The Lakers found the bats in the third inning and kept them alive, as they had three hits in both the fourth and fifth innings, which added two runs on the board to make it a 5-1 run game.
The Wildcats found the bats in the bottom of the sixth inning, when Burton started it off with a bunt single, before Sara Miller hit her second double of the game to score Burton to make it a 6-2 ball game. The Wildcats threated once more, but could not erase the early deficit by the Lakers.
Rosa'Lynn Burton went 3-for-3 with one run, as Sara Miller went 2-for-2 with two doubles, a walk, an RBI, and a run scored. Haley Downin added one hit. Alexandra Ballester went 4.1 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs, with four strikeouts. Molly Dill pitched 1.0 inning, allowing three hits and one run, with two strikeouts.
Next Up:
The Wildcats will head to Rollins College to take on the Tars in a doubleheader tomorrow night. Game one is set for 5 p.m.
