TAMPA, Fla. – The bats fell quiet as the Wilmington University softball team dropped their doubleheader to the University of Tampa, 6-3 and 9-0 Tuesday night at Naimoli Family Field.
Game one:
The Wildcats (0-6) got out to a good start in game one, as freshman Alyssa Carrion got on base with one out in the top of the first inning, before she could get into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Kiana Broderson-Jones. Next up, Sara Miller tripled to right field to score Carrion and give WilmU the early 1-0 lead.
Tampa (16-5) would get the bats going early too, as they loaded the bases in the bottom of the first with two outs, before a double and single brought home four runs, to give them the 4-1 lead.
Down 5-1 in the top of the fourth inning, Rosa'Lynn Burton got her first RBI of the game with a bases loaded single, before Lauren Lopez scored on a pass ball that put the Wildcats down two, making it a 5-3 ballgame.
The Spartans would get one more in the bottom of the sixth for a little insurance, but the Wildcats would go down in order to end the top of the seventh.
Rosa'Lynn Burton and Sara Miller both went two-for-four with one RBI. Miller finished with one double and one triple, as Lauren Lopez went two-for-three with one run scored. Alyssa Velasquez and Jessica Ahearn each had one hit. Haley Downin would go 0.2 innings, allowing four hits and four runs. Molly Dill went 4.0 innings pitched, allowing four hits and one run.
Game Two:
Five runs in the second inning and four in the third inning opened the door for the Spartans in game two to take a 9-0 lead after five innings.
Wilmington had a chance to get on the board in the top of the first inning, as Burton stole second and third with only one out, but the Wildcats could not convert, stranding Burton on base.
Tampa would get the bats going in the bottom of the second, as they loaded the bases, before three straight hits scored four runs to put them in front, 5-0 heading into the third. Five more hits in the bottom of the third would plate four more runs to give the Spartans a 9-0 lead.
Lauren Lopez would draw a one-out walk in the top of the fifth to keep the Wildcats alive, but the Spartans defense would hold them off, ending the game early.
Rosa'Lynn Burton, Alyssa Carrion, and Jessica Ahearn each had one hit. Alexandra Ballester would fall to 0-3, going 1.2 innings, allowing three hits and five runs. Molly Dill would go 0.2 innings, allowing four hits and four runs. Haley Downin pitched 1.2 innings, allowing just one hit.
Next Up:
The Wildcats will head to No. 17 Saint Leo tomorrow night for a doubleheader with the Lions. Game one is slated for 5 p.m.
