Video Recap at Bottom of Page
NEW CASTLE, Del. - - Two more dominating performances in the circle stretched the 23rd ranked Wilmington University softball team's win streak to 12 straight with a 4-0 and 3-1 sweep over Pace on Tuesday at Asbury Field.
Pace, an East Region Tournament participant a season ago, could only muster seven hits in the doubleheader as Kylee Gunkel and Delani Sheehan remained locked in on the rubber.
GAME 1:
Kylee Gunkel tossed her second consecutive shutout in the opening game of the doubleheader, only allowing three hits and a walk while striking out a pair.
After inducing a line drive double play to end the top of the third inning, the offense finally broke through in the home half. Tristyn Stewart started the inning with a one out infield single and then Taylor Gillis beat out an infield single and Stewart never stopped running, scoring from second on the play.
The Wildcats were able to tack on more another run in the bottom of the fifth as the speed of the Wildcats brought in another run. Lexi Moore's bunt forced a wide throw at first and Isabella Eleazar scurried home for the 2-0 lead. Haley Downin put the game out of reach for the Setters, launching her first homer of the season in the bottom of the sixth inning, playing Bri Coyle who singled to lead off the inning.
Another double play aided Gunkel in the top of the seventh, erasing a leadoff single. She then got another ground ball to end the game and improve to 9-4 on the season.
Tristyn Stewart went 3-for-3 with two stolen bases in the opening game.
GAME 2:
The Wildcats started fast in the nightcap, scoring a pair of runs int eh bottom of the first before tacking on an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth.
Delanie Sheehan was in control again, looking for her third consecutive shutout. She ended up allowing a sixth inning run but improved to 10-5 after only allowing four hits and a walk while striking out five strikeouts.
Six different Wildcats had hits in the nightcap, with Sara Miller leading the way with two RBI.
A couple of bunts led to a 2-0 lead for the Wildcats in the bottom of the first inning. Stewart did it again by scoring from second on a bunt. Sara Miller than brought in Moore with a. squeeze bunt as the Wildcats jumped out in front, 2-0.
Wilmington had chances in the second and fourth but left two runners on in each frame. Sara Miller hit a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fifth, scoring Taylor Gillis for the 3-0 lead.
It looked as though the Wildcats would gun down a runner at third to start the inning, but an obstruction call kept the runner there. A sacrifice fly would end the Wildcats' scoreless streak at 34 consecutive innings, but the Wildcats still held onto a 3-1 lead. Sheehan than went 1-2-3 in the seventh to close the door and pick up the victory.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats are back in action on Wednesday afternoon, as they head to West Chester to take on the Golden Rams. The first pitch of the doubleheader is set for 2:00 p.m.