NEW CASTLE, Del. - - Sara Miller went a perfect 7-for-7 with six RBI and Lexi Moore added a perfect 5-for-5 with three RBI to lead the Wilmington University softball team to a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference sweep of Dominican, 9-1 and 11-3, on Saturday at Asbury Field.
The Wildcats (12-6, 4-0 CACC) had 10 extra base hits in the sweep, hitting seven doubles and a triple in game one and two doubles in game two. Sara Miller went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI in game one and then 4-for-4 with four RBI, including the walk-off hit, in game two.
GAME 1:
Dominican (3-13, 0-2 CACC) tied the game, 1-1, in the top of the third after loading the bases with no outs. A single just out of the reach of Cassidy Zelano at second base scored the run but then Sara Miller made a diving catch in right and the Wildcats caught the runner at third leaving early for two quick outs. Then Delani Sheehan induced a grounder to get out of the jam with only one run.
From there, it was all Wilmington, as they went on to score four runs in the third, three in the fourth, and one in the bottom of the fifth.
Lexi Moore started the inning with a one-out bunt single and then stole second. Now on third with two outs, the Wildcats came up clutch with four straight hits. Sara Miller doubled in Moore and then Haley Downin and Bri Coyle followed with doubles of their own. Then Isabella Eleazar singled to right, scoring Coyle as the Wildcats led 5-1.
The extra base hits continued in the fourth inning as Jess Reed doubled in Cassidy Zelano. Lexi Moore than split the gap in right center for an RBI triple. Sara Miller bunted Moore home and the Wildcats were up 8-1.
Bri Coyle started the bottom of the fifth off with a double and Isabella Eleazar doubled her in to force the mercy-rule into effect as the Wildcats won, 9-1.
Jess Reed went 2-for-3 with two doubles while Lexi Moore went 3-for-3 with a triple. Bri Coyle went 2-for-3 with two doubles while Isabella Eleazar also went 2-for-3. Delani Sheehan struck out five in five innings, improving to 5-3 on the year with only allowing one run on six hits.
GAME 2:
The Chargers came out and put a three spot on the board in the top of the first, but the Wildcats didn't falter and battled right back.
With runners on first and second and one out, Sara Miller singled into left field, scoring both Moore and Taylor Gillis. Now with runners on first and third and two outs, Isabella Eleazar singled back up the middle that plated two more to give the Wildcats the 4-3 lead after one inning.
Dominican had a runner on third with two outs in the second and couldn't score while the Wildcats did score with the same situation in the bottom half. Taylor Gillis lined one back up the middle, plating Arianna Millan to make it 5-3.
The Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the third but still put up five runs in the inning. Lexi Moore started the scoring with a two-run double to left center and then Taylor Gillis singled again that chased two more home. Sara Miller then bunted Gillis home who snuck her hand in ahead of the tag, giving the Wildcats a 10-3 lead.
Looking for a run in the bottom of the fifth, Jess Reed started the inning with a single deep in the hole on the left side. Lexi Moore put two runners on with a single and then Sara Miller capped her day with a walk-off RBI single, as Jess Reed narrowly beat the throw from left for the 11-3 victory.
Kylee Gunkel came on in relief and went the final four innings, not allowing a run with only one hit and striking out three. She is now 6-1 on the year. Lexi Moore went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBI while Taylor Gillis added two hits and three RBI.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats have a tough week ahead as they travel to Georgian Court on Tuesday and then face West Chester at home on Wednesday. The games at Georgian Court begin 2:00 p.m. in Lakewood, New Jersey.