CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - - The record-breaking season of the Wilmington University softball team came to a close on Saturday at the NCAA Division II Softball Championships, falling to No. 8 California State San Marcos, 3-2, in an elimination game at Frost Stadium.
The Wildcats finish the season with a program record 44 wins, advancing to the NCAA DII Softball Championships for the first time in program history.
On Saturday, the Wildcats struck first with an unearned run in the top of the first. Lexi Moore beat out an infield single to short and then was standing on second after a wild pitch. With two outs, miscommunication by the Cougars allowed the ball to fall in the infield, as Lexi Moore raced home for the early 1-0 lead.
Gabriella Saucedo kept the Wildcats in front in the bottom of the second innings, reaching over the wall in left and bringing back a home-run ball for the second out of the inning. WilmU starter Kylee Gunkel left a runner on second in the second, and a leadoff single at first in the third, as the Wildcats led, 1-0, after three full.
But the Cougars rallied in the fourth, getting a leadoff walk, a single, and a walk to load the bases without any outs. Another walk forced in a run to tie the game and then Delani Sheehan came in to put out the fire.
Sheehan induced a grounder to Sara Miller at third who got the out at the plate, and another grounder to Zelano at second. Zelano stepped on the bag at second, but her throw to first sailed wide, allowing a second run to come out as the Cougars took a 3-1 lead.
The Wildcats answered right back in the top of the fifth, using a late two-out rally. Cassidy Zelano singled to second and then Taylor Gillis doubled over the head of the right fielder to bring the Wildcats to within 3-2.
Delani Sheehan shut the Cougars down in order in the fifth and sixth innings, giving the Wildcats one final chance to tie the game in the seventh. Haley Downin reached on a one-out error, putting the tying run aboard. Emma Zimmerman dropped one in front of the left fielder, but she quickly fired it to second to get Dani Hess on the force, leaving the tying run at first base. Zelano then grounded out to third base to end the contest.
Taylor Gillis, Lexi Moore, Gabriella Saucedo, and Cassidy Zelano all had hits for the Wildcats. Delani Sheehan went 3.0 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Kylee Gunkel finishes the season with a single season record 23 wins, going 23-7 overall on the year.
The Wildcats are expected to return all 18 student-athletes on the roster next year. The graduating seniors have a year of eligibility remaining due to the COVID-19 shortened season.
