LAKELAND, Fla. - - The seventh inning decided both ends of a doubleheader featuring the sixth ranked Wilmington University softball team and Florida Southern on Wednesday night, with the Wildcats winning game one, 6-3, and the Mocs winning game two, 3-2, at Chris Bellotto Field.
GAME 1:
After the Moc tied the game, 2-2, in the bottom of the sixth, the Wildcats (2-2) scored four runs in the top of the seventh to take the opener. Haley Grygo hit the go-ahead RBI double in the inning.
A dropped pop up by the shortstop with two outs in the second inning allowed the Wildcats to score two runs. The Mocs loaded the bases with one out in the sixth. They scored on a wild pitch and a grounder to first base, but the third out was cut down at third on the same play.
Tristyn Stewart started the seventh with a one-out single and then Cassidy Zelano placed one down the left field line to put two on. Haley Grygo split the gap in left center for a double, scoring Stewart for the 3-2 lead. A wild pitch brought Zelano home and then Eve Serrato hit a two-run single through the left side to make it 6-2.
A two-out triple gave one back to the Mocs in the bottom of the seventh but reliever Maddie Vollmar induced a grounder for the final out to pick up her first collegiate win.
Kylee Gunkel went the first 5.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts in the no decision. Grygo and Serrato had two hits each with Grygo and Emma Zimmerman collecting doubles.
GAME 2:
The nightcap saw the Mocs take advantage of the seventh inning, walking off with an RBI single to right, touching home just ahead of the throw and tag at the plate.
The Mocs struck first in game two, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first on three hits. The Wildcats left two runner on in the first and the bases loaded in the top of the second before finally striking in the fourth. With runners on second and third and two outs, Tristyn Stewart singled back up the middle, cutting the deficit in half, 2-1.
A two-out error allowed the Wildcats to rally in the fifth, as Emma Zimmerman singled Eve Serrato to third. Gracie Mabry then tied the game with a single into center, plating Serrato.
The Wildcats couldn't score a leadoff double in the top of the seventh and then the Mocs rallied with a leadoff single, a walk, and a single into right for the walk-off win.
Gracie Mabry and Sydney Hatch had two hits each, with Mabry and Stewart picking up RBI. Delanie Sheehan struck out eight batters and had a double in the loss.
UP NEXT:
The Florida trip has just begun for the Wildcats, as they are right back in action on Tuesday afternoon at Legends Way. They will play Concordia-St. Paul at 2:00 and Sioux Falls at 4:15 in Clermont, Florida.