BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - - The nightcap got away from the 25th ranked Wilmington University softball team, but the Wildcats split the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader at Bridgeport, winning game one, 9-0, before losing the second, 6-5, in eight innings, on Saturday afternoon at Seaside Park.
The split ensures at least a share of the CACC Regular Season Championship, the first time the Wildcats sat atop the CACC Standings at the end of the regular season in its NCAA era. The Wildcats (31-11, 21-3 CACC) are now tied with Caldwell in the loss column, but Caldwell has a CACC doubleheader against Georgian Court to close out regular season conference play.
GAME 1:
The name of the game was two-out scoring, as the Wildcats scored six runs all starting with two outs and no one on base in the opener.
It started in the top of the first as Gabriella Saucedo hit a two-out double to start the rally. Sara Miller doubled her in for the game's first run and then Haley Downin singled back up the middle to make it 2-0.
Tristyn Stewart started a two-out rally in the top of the second, getting on with a single up the middle. Taylor Gillis and Lexi Moore singled to load the bases and then Moore beat out a play at second, allowing a run to score. Sara Miller then cleared the bases with a double that stayed just inside the third base bag, making it 6-0 after two innings.
A three-run fourth put the mercy rule into effect, as the Wildcats took a 9-0 lead. Taylor Gillis doubled in Tristyn Stewart and then Lexi Moore doubled past the left fielder to plate Gillis. Miller added to her game with an RBI single to close out the scoring.
Kylee Gunkel left five Bridgeport runners on base in the game, striking out five while not allowing a walk or run. She improved to 14-3 on the year with the win.
GAME 2:
The Wildcats battled back from a 4-0 deficit to take a 5-4 lead and had the game on the line, but a two-out error in the bottom of the seventh allowed the tying run to score before Bridgeport walked off with the win in the eighth.
Bridgeport scored four runs in the first two innings, getting the first run of the game with two outs and no one on base.
The Wildcats fought back in the fifth, scoring three runs. Tristyn Stewart, Taylor Gillis, and Lexi Moore hit back-to-back-to-back doubles and then Sara Miller hit an RBI single to make it 4-3.
Wilmington took the lead in the sixth, as Bella Eleazar started the frame with a leadoff single. Now with two outs and Eleazar on third, Taylor Gillis hit a hot shot to short to tie the game, 4-4, and then Lexi Moore singled into right to plate Gillis with the go-ahead run.
Bridgeport started the seventh with a single and a sacrifice bunt. Now with two outs and a runner on third, Kylee Gunkel got the ground ball, but Sara Miller's throw from third was low and got past Arianna Millan to allow the tying run to score.
The Wildcats got a leadoff runner on in the eighth, but a base running error saw the first out of the inning at third base to deflate the inning. Bridgeport got a leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth and then hit two more singles to plate the winning run with the walk-off.
Taylor Gillis and Isabella Eleazar went 3-for-4 while Gillis added two RBI. Lexi Moore and Delani Sheehan added two hits each with Moore collected two RBI as well.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats have two nonconference doubleheaders to close out the regular season, starting with a trip to Molloy on Sunday. The first pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.