SUBJECT: Wilmington and Shippensburg Split Doubleheader With Wins in Final At-Bats
DATE: March 30, 2022
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SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - - More late-game action highlighted the Wilmington University softball team's split at Shippensburg, as the Wildcats won the opener, 5-3, in eight innings, but fell on a walk-off in the bottom of the seventh in the nightcap, 2-1, on Wednesday afternoon at Robb Field.
Taylor Gillis again came up big with a two-run single in the top of the eighth, but the Raiders capitalized in the bottom of the seventh in game two, hitting a walk-off, two-run single for the split.
GAME 1:
Lexi Moore started a two-out rally in the third with a single and a stolen base. Haley Downin knocked her in with an RBI single and the Wildcats were on the board, 1-0.
Haley Downin then held the Raiders scoreless until the bottom of the fifth. The Raider offense came alive with two outs and no runners on base, as a two-out walk sparked a three-run inning. After the walk, the Raiders singled and then homered, quickly taking a 3-1 lead.
But the Wildcats came right back, as Sara Miller tripled to center to spark a rally in the sixth. Adriana Bueno brought in Miller with a sacrifice fly and then Kiersten Comer hit a two-out, RBI single to left to place Gabbie Saucedo to tie the game, 3-3.
The Wildcats left two runners on in the seventh on a pair of walks, but Downin set the Raiders down in order in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extra-innings.
Gabbie Saucedo stood at second with two outs in the top of the eighth. Kiersten Comer singled to put runners on first and third and then Emma Zimmerman walked to load the bases. Taylor Gillis came through with a two-out, two-run single to center as Saucedo and Danielle Hess scored.
Haley Downin then shut the door in the bottom of the eighth, with a little help from her catcher. After inducing a fly-ball for the first out, Emma Zimmerman picked off the runner at second to clear the bases. Downin then got another fly ball to end the game, 5-3.
Taylor Gills, Lexi Moore, Haley Downin, and Kiersten Comer all collected two hits in the win. Downin improved to 3-3 on the year with the win.
GAME 2:
The Wildcats' Molly Dill and the Raiders' Alicia Ball were locked in a pitcher's duel in the nightcap. The Raiders left two runners on in each the second and third innings, but Dill got out of the jams unscathed.
The Wildcats struck in the fifth, again starting with two-outs and the bases empty. Emma Zimmerman beat out an infield single and Courtney Dellinger walked. Taylor Gillis loaded the bases with an infield single and then Lexi Moore worked a full count walk to force in a run and lead, 1-0.
Dill shut the Raiders down in order in the fifth and sixth innings, but couldn't find that third out in the seventh to complete the sweep. With two-outs and one on, back-to-back hit batters loaded the bases. A ground back up the middle, past the glove of a diving shortstop, plated a pair, and the Raiders walked-off with the win, 2-1.
Taylor Gillis, Sara Miller, and Emma Zimmerman collected the three hits for the Wildcats. Molly Dill was the tough luck loser for the Wildcats, pitching 6.2 innings while allowing two runs on seven hits.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats have to shake off the game two loss, as they return to the diamond on Thursday afternoon with a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader. They host Felician at Asbury Field with the first pitch scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
