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NEW CASTLE, Del. - - It didn't come easy, but the No. 22 ranked Wilmington University softball team set a new program record with a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference sweep over Holy Family, 10-3 and 8-6, at Asbury Field on Friday, extending the winning streak to 14 consecutive games.
The two wins bring the Wildcats to 21-10 overall, 8-0 in CACC play. The 14-game winning streak bests the 13-straight games the 2012 team won.
GAME 1:
Sara Miller and Haley Downin each hit a two-run home run in the opening game as the Wildcats scored at least one run in each of the first five innings.
The Tigers struck first with a two-out RBI single in the top of the first inning, but then the Wildcats answered back with a two-out rally of their own. With two outs and no one on, Tristyn Stewart started the rally with a single. Sara Miller then launched a two-run homer to right center to put the Wildcats on top.
Emma Zimmerman scored on an RBI groundout in the bottom of the second and then Haley Downin hit a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the third inning to give the Wildcats a 5-1 lead. Wilmington extended the lead with four runs on only two hits and an error in the fourth inning, as the Wildcats took a 9-1 advantage.
Holy Family scored two runs in the top of the fifth to keep the game alive, but Haley Downin shut the Tigers down the rest of the way, settling on the 10-3 victory.
Kylee Gunkel struck out seven in four innings to improve to 10-4 on the year. Haley Downin pitched the final three innings for her first save of her career. Tristyn Stewart had three hits while Sara Miller, Haley Downin, and Sam Freeland had two hits each.
GAME 2:
Trailing 6-2 after four innings, the offense came alive to score six runs in their final two at-bats to comeback and steal a victory form the Tigers.
Taylor Gillis walked to lead off the bottom of the fifth and then the Wildcats ahd runners on second and third with only one out. Gabriella Saucedo lined one to right, hitting the right field line before going all the way to the fence for a two-run triple. Emma Zimmerman bunted Saucedo in and then Haley Downin hit one off the third base bag, playing Bella Eleazar to tie the game, 6-6.
Starter Delani Sheehan left a two-out single on first to in the top of the sixth to bring the offense back up in the home half. Taylor Gillis again started the inning by getting on base, this time with a single. Now with two outs and Gillis on third, Gabriella Saucedo beat the center fielder with a double to right center, plating Gillis with the go-ahead run. Julia Thuer followed with an RBI single, adding an insurance run, 8-6.
Sheehan then put the Tigers down in order in the seventh, finishing off the complete game to improve to 11-5. Sara Miller had three hits in game while Saucedo went 2-for-2 with a triple and a double, leading the team with three RBI. Stewart and Gillis also had two hits in the nightcap.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats are home again on Sunday as they welcome Molloy to Asbury Field for their final nonconference home doubleheader of the season. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. against the Lions.