SAINT LEO, Fla. - - Kylee Gunkel turned in another outstanding performance, leading the 25th ranked Wilmington University softball team to a hard-earned split at Saint Leo, dropping the first game, 2-0, before coming back and winning game two, 1-0, on Monday night at University Stadium.
It was the second straight complete game for Kylee Gunkel, as she improved to 3-0 on the year and now has a 0.54 earned run average with her first shutout of the season.
GAME 1:
It was hard for the bats to get going in the opener, as the Lions' (14-2) Kayla Betts improved to 7-0 on the year with a complete game, two-hit shutout while striking out seven Wildcats (5-3).
Delani Sheehan pitched well for the Wildcats as well, going all six innings while only allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. The Lions scored single runs in the first and fifth innings, good enough for the 2-0 victory.
The Wildcats' first base runner came with two outs in the top of the third, but Tristyn Stewart was left at second after she reached on an error and stole second. Haley Downin got the first hit in the top of the fourth, but she was left at first. The Wildcats' last chance came in the sixth as Stewart singled to short to start the frame. But a failed sacrifice bunt, a spectacular catch in foul ground by the third baseman, and a pop out in the infield left Stewart at first.
GAME 2:
Another pitcher's duel highlighted the nightcap as Kylee Gunkel and Ainsley Perdicaris went back and forth in the circle.
The Wildcats threatened first as Haley Downin singled and stole second in the top of the first, but the Lions were able to get out of the early jam. The Wildcats threatened again in the third, as Tristyn Stewart hit a one-out single in the third and then stole second. Taylor Gillis put runners on second and third with one out with a single and stolen base of her own. But Perdicaris buckled down and induced a grounder back to the circle and a fly ball to left to end the inning.
The Lions didn't get their first base runner until the bottom of the fourth, leading off the inning with a single. A sacrifice bunt moved her up to second, but Gunkel induced a pair of infield popups to end the frame. Jess Reed singled in the fifth, but was left at second once again.
Lexi Moore started the top of the sixth with a bunt single and then moved into scoring position on a passed ball. Haley Downin went the other way with a bunt, and placed it perfectly as the second baseman was coming over to cover first. Lexi Moore raced around third and came home on the play, proving to be the only run of the game.
The Lions put runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the sixth, but Gunkel struck out a batter and then induced a fly ball to center to escape the jam and keep the Lions off the board.
The Lions threatened again in the seventh, getting a one out single. A walk put the tying run on second and then a single which would have went through the infield struck the runner going to second, creating an out and the runners back to where they started, now with two outs, Gunkel got a grounder to short to end the game and keep the shutout.
Gunkel only allowed four hits while only have one strikeout and one walk. The Wildcats had five hits in game two.
UP NEXT:
The Florida tour continues Tuesday as the Wildcats travel to Daytona to play at Embry-Riddle. The doubleheader starts at 3:00 p.m.
