LAKEWOOD, N.J. - - The arms of Delani Sheehan and Kylee Gunkel propelled the Wilmington University softball to a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference sweep of Georgian Court, 5-0 and 8-2, on Tuesday afternoon at SEI Investments Field.
The Georgian Court (13-9, 0-2 CACC) offense came into today's games scoring 6.7 runs per game and on a five-game winning streak, but the pitching of the Wildcats' (14-6, 6-0 CACC) Delani Sheehan and Kylee Gunkel held them to just two runs on seven combined hits.
GAME 1:
Delani Sheehan was first to face the Lions and spun her first complete game shutout as a Wildcat. She struck out six batters without allowing a walk, only giving up three singles in the game. The lefty was aided by a pair of double plays behind her. She improved to 6-3 on the season.
The Wildcats left a pair on base in the first but started the scoring the in the third. Junior first basemen Arianna Millan led off the inning with her fifth career home run, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. The fifth inning is where the Wildcats broke loose.
With two outs and a runner on first, Taylor Gillis got one up and over the head of the leftfielder, chasing Lexi Moore all the way around to make it a 2-0. Following a meeting in the circle, Sara Miller stepped up and took the first pitch she saw and deposited it over the fence in left center for the 4-0 lead.
The Lions picked up their first hit of the game to lead off the fifth, in and out of the glove of Miller in right off a full extension diving attempt. But after a strikeout, the middle infielders picked up Sheehan with a 4-6-3 double play to end the frame.
The Wildcats loaded the bases in the top of the seventh and Sara Miller put a charge into another pitch, but it was caught at the wall for only a sacrifice fly, but a much needed insurance run, 5-0.
Sheehan allowed a one-out single, but she was left at first as Sheehan completed the shutout with a strikeout.
GAME 2:
It was Kylee Gunkel's turn to take her familiar position in the circle at SEI Investments Field, defeating the Lions last season to win the NCAA East Region 1 Pod. She gave up a two-run homer in the bottom of the first, but then settled in a shut down the potent Lions' offense.
Lexi Moore was the catalyst for the Wildcats' offense in game two, collecting a single, stolen base, and a run in the first inning and then doubling in the third which led to Jess Reed scoring to tie the game, 2-2. Gillis brought in Moore, stole second, and then Sara Miller singled her home. Arianna Millan hit a two-out, two-run single to cap the third, giving the Wildcats a 6-2 lead.
Gunkel left single runners on in each of the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth innings, keeping the Wildcats in front throughout. Lexi Moore doubled in the seventh and scored as Sara Miller bunted her home. Isabella Eleazar than doubled off the wall in left to plate Miller, adding important insurance runs against, 8-2.
The Lions put a runner on with a one-out single in the seventh, but Gunkel induced a fly ball and a foul out to end the game to improve to 7-1 on the year. She struck out six while allowing two runs on four hits and three walks.
Lexi Moore went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three runs scored while Isabella Eleazar went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Taylor Gillis, Sara Miller, and Arianna Millan all collected two RBI in the win.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats have little time to think about today's sweep, as they return to action on Wednesday afternoon against West Chester. The doubleheader at Asbury Field is set to start at 2:00 p.m.