EAST STROUDSBURG, Pa. - - The bats came alive in game two for the No. 11 Wilmington University softball team, snapping a seven-game losing streak with a split at No. 14 East Stroudsburg, dropping the opener, 3-0, before taking game two, 7-1, on Monday afternoon at Creekview Park.
GAME 1:
The Wildcats (7-11) had a hard time sorting out All-American Sarah Davenport in the opener, as the sophomore only allowed one hit and two walks in the complete game shutout, striking out 12 batters to improve to 10-0 on the year.
The Warriors (14-4) started quickly as well, leading off the game with a triple and an RBI error. A two-out single scored the second run, giving the home team a 2-0 lead right away.
The Wildcats put two on in the fifth with a walk and a Sydney Hatch single, but Davenport picked up a strikeout to end the threat and keep the Wildcats off the board.
GAME 2:
Senior starter Kylee Gunkel returned to form in the nightcap, going the distance while only allowing a run on six hits with five strikeouts for her second win of the season. She was backed by the offense's 11 hits, including Haley Grygo's first career home run.
The offense produced all the runs Gunkel would need in the second inning, putting five on the board to strike early.
Rylee Maloney started the inning with a single and then the Wildcats loaded the bases with one out with a single from Kylie Saienni and an Alexa Eisemann walk. Tristyn Stewart than sent one past the shortstop and into left center, plating the first two runs of the inning. Now with two outs, Haley Grygo launched a three-run homer, giving the Wildcats a 5-0 lead.
Bella Barnes added to the lead in the top of the sixth, muscling one off the handle of the bat into right field, scoring Stewart and Cassidy Zelano.
Haley Grygo went 2-for-4 with the homer and three RBI while Tristyn Stewart batted 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Kasey Zenidis batted 2-for-3 with a walk as well.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats begin Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play with their next contest, as they travel to Bridgeport on Saturday afternoon. The first pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1:00 p.m.