LAKELAND, Fla. - - The 11th ranked Wilmington University softball team used late runs in each game of a doubleheader to sweep Florida Southern, 5-0 and 9-2, on Tuesday night at Chris Bellotto Field to start its annual Florida Trip.
GAME 1:
The Wildcats scored all five runs in the final three innings of the game while starter Delani Sheehan allowed base runners but didn't break, waiting for the offense to come around.
The bats woke up in the fifth inning, using one swing of the bat to score three runs. Isabella Eleazar started the inning with a leadoff single before Tristyn Stewart reached on an error and Sam Freeland singled to third to load the bases with two outs. Taylor Gillis beat the centerfielder and cleared the bases, racing all the way to third for a three-run triple.
Bella Eleazar added a two-out RBI single in the top of the sixth inning and then Lexi Moore knocked in Tristyn Stewart in the top of the seventh to give the Wildcats another insurance run.
Delani Sheehan didn't allow the Mocs a chance in the bottom of the seventh, inducing a pair of soft pop ups to second and then a short fly ball to right to end the game, 5-0.
Isabella Eleazar and Tristyn Stewart each had two hits in the opener while Taylor Gillis went 1-for-2 with two walks and two stolen bases. Sheehan tossed the eight-hit shutout while striking out a pair and walking four.
GAME 2:
The Wildcats broke game two open with a five run seventh inning, using 16 hits in the game to pick up the sweep to start their Florida Trip.
The Mocs threatened to make a game of it in the bottom of the sixth inning, using a two-out rally. A double and a single scored a run but then the Mocs collected two more singles to load the bases and put the tying run on second base. But Kylee Gunkel picked up a needed strikeout to end the threat and keep the Wildcats in front, 4-2.
That propelled the Wildcats into the seventh inning, collecting five runs on five hits, to put the game out of reach. Cassidy Zelano led off the inning with a single and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Sam Freeland, Lexi Moore, and Taylor Gillis all singled to load the bases. Freeland and Moore scored on wild pitches and then Bella Barnes kept a ball inside the third base bag, plating two more with a double.
Taylor Gillis went 3-for-5 with two walks while Bella Barnes finished 2-for-3 with three RBI. Sam Freeland, Lexi Moore, Haley Downin, and Julia Thuer all had two hits as well, with Freeland, Downin and Tristyn Stewart picking up RBI. Kylee Gunkel threw the complete game, allowing two runs on eight hits while striking out three batters.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats return to action in Florida on Wednesday night, traveling to Winter Park to take on Rollins in a doubleheader. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
