WINTER PARK, Fla. – The Wilmington University softball team lost two heartbreakers to No. 4 Rollins in extra innings, 8-7 and 6-5 Monday night at MLK Jr. Park.
Game One:
The bats finally came alive for the Wildcats, (0-4) but it took until the top of the third inning, where they scored five runs to tie the game up.
Sara Miller would get things going with one out, as she reached base safely on a Rollins (19-0) error, before Lauren Lopez reached on a fielder's choice. Next batter, Haley Downin gave the Wildcats their first run of the game on a single to left field, as Annie Davila followed her up with a single, before Lopez scored on another Rollins error. Alyssa Velasquez would keep the momentum going, hitting a triple to left field, clearing the bases to make it a 5-4 ballgame, before Jordyn Virden singled up the middle to bring Velasquez home and tie the game at 5-5.
The Tars would plate two more runs in the bottom of the fifth to regain the lead, 7-5. With runners on second and first, Lauren Lopez singled to right field, before advancing to second on another fieldling error that scored both runners to tie the game at seven in the top of the sixth.
Rollins would threaten in the bottom of the eighth inning with a runner on third with two outs, but Alexandra Ballester would get out of the inning on a ground out. WilmU would get one out in the bottom of the ninth, but the Tars would load the bases, before a sacrifice fly scored the game-winning run.
Alyssa Velasquez would go three-for-three with two RBI and a triple, as Annie Davila went three-for-five with one RBI. Haley Downin, Lauren Lopez, and Jordyn Virden each had one RBI. Alexandra Ballester went 8.1 innings, allowing 10 hits, and eight runs.
Game Two:
Wilmington would bounce right back after their extra inning loss to the Tars in the first inning of game two.
Sara Miller would keep things going again with two outs after a walk, before Haley Downin doubled to left field to give Kiana Broderson-Jones the chance to follow her up with her own double to left to score both runners. Annie Davila would then bring Broderson-Jones home on a single to give WilmU an early 3-0 heading into Rollins' first at bats.
Alyssa Velasquez would start the top of the second with a single, before Jessica Ahearn moved her over into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt, which would bring up the top of the lineup. Rosa'Lynn Burton would then get the RBI scoring Velasquez to make it a 4-0 lead heading into the bottom half of the inning.
The Tars would make it a 4-2 game in the bottom of the second inning, but Lauren Lopez would give WilmU their fifth run of the game on a single to give the Wildcats a 5-2 lead after the top of the fifth inning.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Rollins would tie the game up on a two-run homerun, which led to extra innings for a second straight game. WilmU would hold off the Tars until the bottom of the ninth inning, where they loaded the bases, which led to the game-winning hit to keep their undefeated season alive.
Haley Downin would go three-for-five with one run and a double, as Kiana Broderson-Jones went two-for-four with a double and two RBI. Annie Davila and Lauren Lopez each had an RBI. Molly Dill would go 7.0 innings, allowing seven hits, five runs, and one strikeout.
Next Up:
Wilmington will head to Tampa University tomorrow night for another doubleheader under the lights. Game one is set for 5 p.m.
