DOVER, Del. - - The ninth-ranked Wilmington University softball team opened its season on the right foot on Sunday, defeating in-state and NCAA Division I foe Delaware, 4-2, at the Hornets' Nest.

The Wildcats (1-0) collected seven hits and played clean defense on the cold and blustery day, picking up eight punchouts in the circle with only two walks.

Delaware State struck first with a two-out RBI single off starter Delani Sheehan. But that's all Sheehan would allow in her three innings of work, striking out four and not issuing a walk.

Newcomer Sam Freeland started a one-out rally in the third with an infield single. After a stolen base, she was able to tie the game with her speed, racing home from second on a Lexi Moore infield single.

Haley Downin moved Sara Miller and Julia Thuer into scoring position with one out in the top of the fourth and then Emma Zimmerman gave the Wildcats the lead with a two-run single, 3-1.

The Wildcats scored again in the fifth, using the wheels of Lexi Moore. She reached on another infield single, advanced to second on a ball in the dirt, stole third, and then raced home as the ball trickled away from the third baseman.

Kylee Gunkel came on starting in the fourth inning and only allowed a seventh-inning run to close out the game, 4-2, and record the win.

Lexi Moore went 3-for-4 with an RBI while Sam Freeland, Sara Miller, Emma Zimmerman, and Tristyn Stewart all collected one hit each.

The Wildcats now wait until warmer weather to play, as they head South to play in Florida starting on Tuesday, February 27 at Florida Southern. The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.