Video Recap at Bottom of Page
Postgame Interview with Head Coach Mike Shehorn
Postgame Interview with senior shortstop Lexi Moore
NEW CASTLE, Del. - - A six-run top of the first inning allowed the 17th ranked Wilmington University softball team to cruise to its second consecutive East Regional Championship on Wednesday, defeating Adelphi, 12-0, in five innings to sweep the Super Regional series and advance to the NCAA DII Softball National Championships.
It is the second straight trip to the Division II Softball Championship for the Wildcats and will now play at the Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, Florida, in part of the NCAA Division II National Championships Spring Festival.
The Wildcats set a new program record with their 45th win on Wednesday, defeating Adelphi in the Super Regional for the second straight year, winning the Super Regional Rubber Match, 2-0.
With the bats rolling into Wednesday's game, the Wildcats were able to bat first and take control of the contest. Tristyn Stewart and Lexi Moore started the game with singles and then Sara Miller was hit by a pitch to load the bases with one out. Gabriella Saucedo flipped one into right field to start the scoring, chasing two home for the quick 2-0 lead. A wild pitch scored the third run for the Wildcats and then Sam Freeland beat out a swinging bunt to score a run and then Haley Downin doubled over the head of the centerfielder for the 5-0 lead. Two batters later, Emma Zimmerman hit a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring in the inning, 6-0.
Adelphi started the bottom of the second with a single but then Delani Sheehan induced a 4-3 double play to erase the base runner.
Gabriella Saucedo and Sam Freeland started the top of the third with singles and the Wildcats added three runs in the frame to extend the lead. Zimmerman put down a squeeze bunt and Julia Thuer bounced one to third, but the throw to the plate was dropped to allow another run to score. Tristyn Stewart followed with an RBI single, and the Wildcats led 9-0.
Emma Zimmerman added a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth and then Bri Coyle and Bella Barnes hit RBI single in the top of the fifth to settle the score, 12-0.
Delani Sheehan pitched a one-hit shutout with three strikeouts to improve to 19-7 on the year. It is the sixth consecutive shutout for the Wildcats. The team did not allow a run in the Regional or Super Regional rounds.
Gabriella Saucedo finished with three hits and two RHI while Emma Zimmerman had two RBI as well. Tristyn Stewart and Sa, Freeland had two hits each.
The Wildcats will play their first game of the Softball Championships on Sunday, with a time and an opponent to be determined on Thursday after the Midwest Super Regional is completed.
