NEW CASTLE, Del. - - In a matchup of nationally ranked teams, No. 14 East Stroudsburg got the best of No. 23 Wilmington in a doubleheader, 5-2 and 3-0, on Tuesday afternoon in the 2024 home opener at Asbury Field.
Both the Warriors (16-4) and Wildcats (7-10) advanced to the NCAA Division II Softball Championships last season. The Warriors did all their scoring in just two innings in the doubleheader on Tuesday.
GAME 1:
A five-run fifth inning was all the Warriors needed in the opener, scoring five runs on four hits, and aided by two Wilmington errors.
The Wildcats got on the board first, scoring a run with the first two batters in the bottom of the second. Taylor Gillis reached on an error and Sara Miller brought her in with an RBI groundout.
A play at the plate allowed two runs to score as the ball was knocked out of the glove of Emma Zimmerman in the fifth. A double steal brought in another run and then a two-out RBI single made it 4-0 before a steal and overthrow capped the inning for the Warriors, making it 5-0.
The Wildcats scored once more in the bottom of the fifth and had a one-out double in the bottom of the sixth, but Lexi Moore was left on the bases. Delani Sheehan had a two-out single in the seventh, but the Warriors closed out the game.
Gabriella Saucedo had two hits for the Wildcats while Lexi Moore had a double.
GAME 2:
The nightcap was decided by a three-run third inning for the Warriors, scoring three runs on four hits. Delani Sheehan went the distance for the Wildcats, striking out six while not walking a batter.
The Wildcats' best chance to score came in the bottom of the second inning, loading the bases with no outs in the inning. Sara Miller and Saucedo singled before Sheehan walked. But the Warriors worked out of the jam, inducing a popup, a strikeout, and a ground ball.
The Warriors scored in the third after the first two batters got out. Three straight singles produced two runs and then a final RBI single made it 3-0 in favor of the visitors.
The Wildcats brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning, but a ground ball ended the contest.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats begin Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play on Saturday as they welcome Bridgeport to Asbury Field. The first pitch of the doubleheader on Saturday is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.