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NEW CASTLE, Del. - - Kylee Gunkel tossed a complete game three-hitter, striking out 10 batters to lead the top seeded and 19^th ranked Wilmington University softball team to a 2-0 victory over No. 8 Holy Family in the First Round of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon at Asbury Field.

With the win, the Wildcats (37-13) advance to the double elimination portion of the CACC Tournament, hosted at Asbury Field starting on Thursday, May 2. They will face No. 4 Bloomfield in the first game of the day on Thursday.

Kylee Gunkel struck out the side in the top of the second and made it four straight punchouts to start the top of the third. Gunkel went through the lineup the first time by facing the minimum.

The offense was slow to get going on Saturday, leaving single runners on base in the first and second innings. Julia Thuer started the third inning with a single before a fielder's choice left Tristyn Stewart at first. Stewart stole second and then moved up to third as Lexi Moore put the ball in play. The ball trickled away from the third baseman and Stewart scampered home for the 1-0 lead.

Kylee Gunkel set the first 15 batters down before a leadoff single in the top of the fifth gave the Tigers their first baserunner. The Tigers put runners on second and third with two outs in the inning, but Gunkel picked up one of her 10 strikeouts to escape the jam.

Gabriella Saucedo gave the Wildcats an insurance run with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the sixth and it was more than enough for Gunkel.

The Tigers brought the tying run to the plate after a leadoff single in the seventh, but that runner was left at first as Gunkel picked up two strikeouts in the inning, including the game-ending out to secure the three-hit shutout.

Taylor Gillis and Sam Freeland each had two hits in the win while Gunkel improved to 19-4 on the year.

The Wildcats now host the CACC Tournament from May 2-4. They are looking to defend their title and earn their fifth CACC Tournament Championship in program history.