WINTER PARK, Fla. - - Hits were hard to come by for the 11th ranked Wilmington University softball team on Wednesday night, falling 10-2 and 3-2 in a doubleheader at Rollins.
The Wildcats (3-2) combined for eight hits in the two games on Wednesday, striking out 17 times. The Tars (9-5) used a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to steal game two, 3-2.
GAME 1:
The Tars came out firing in the opener, scoring three in the bottom of the first, adding one in the second, and two more in the third to open up a 6-0 lead.
The Wildcats had a chance to get on the board in the third inning, but two runners were thrown out at home after sharp ground balls.
Sara Miller put the Wildcats on the board in the top of the fourth, hitting an RBI double to score Taylor Gillis. But Miller was left at second and that's all the Wildcats would get in the frame.
Miller then beat out an infield single to short with two outs, allowing Sam Freeland to score to make it a 6-2 game. The Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs to bring the tying run to the plate, but the Tars got out the jam without further damage.
The Tars put the game away in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs on five hits to enforce the mercy rule.
Sara Miller went 2-for-3 with two RBI while Emma Zimmerman, Cassidy Zelano, and Tristyn Stewart all collected one hit.
GAME 2:
The Tars again started fast, scoring a run with two-out single in the bottom of the first. But then starter Kylee Gunkel settled into the game, not allowing another hit until the sixth inning.
Sara Miller walked and stole second to start the second inning, but she was left stranded in scoring position.
The offense backed Gunkel's performance in the fourth inning, getting started with a Lexi Moore bunt single. Taylor Gillis bunted as well and the two stole second and third to be in scoring position with no outs. Sara Miller hit a sacrifice fly to right to tie the game, 1-1, and then Bella Barnes hit another sacrifice fly to center for the 2-1 lead.
Gunkel went 1-2-3 in the fourth and fifth innings but couldn't do the same in the sixth. The Tars led the inning with a single and then got a pinch hit two-run homer from Ashley Worrell to take a 3-2 lead.
The Wildcats couldn't mount a comeback in the top of the seventh, as the Tars stole the nightcap.
Lexi Moore went 2-for-3 with a run while Taylor Gillis went 1-for-3 with a run as well. Gunkel took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits with two strikeouts.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats are off until Saturday when they return to action in the Sunshine State. They travel to Daytona Beach to play at Embry-Riddle. They will face regional foe Assumption at 11:00 a.m. followed by the host Embry-Riddle at 3:00 p.m.
