NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University softball team swept its crosstown rival Goldey-Beacom at Asbury Field, 14-13 and 8-2, in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action on Wednesday.
GAME 1:
The Wildcats hung on at the end in the opener, 14-13, as the Lightning scored 12 of their runs in the final three at-bats and had the tying run on second in the seventh inning.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 6-1 lead after the fourth inning, scoring four runs in the third inning. Gracie Mabrey hit a two-run single in the third before Tristyn Stewart added an RBI single. Eve Serrato hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth, making it 6-1.
But the Lightning answered right back with a six-run fifth inning. They loaded the bases without recording an out and then used a two-run double to spark the big inning.
The Wildcats had a quick response however, scoring five runs in the bottom of the fifth themselves. Cassidy Zelano and Emma Zimmer started the scoring with RBI singles before Serrato had a squeeze bunt and Bella Barnes capped the scoring with a two-run single.
Goldey-Beacom cut the deficit to 11-9 with two more runs in the top of the sixth, but then a two-run double by Zelano and an RBI double by Maddie Vollmar pushed the Wildcats lead back out to 14-9.
The visitors made it interesting again in the seventh, putting two on with one out. They would score four runs and put the tying run on second before Delani Sheehan induced a grounder to second to end the game, 14-13.
Maddie Volmar went 3-for-4 with a double while Eve Serrato, Bella Barnes, and Cassidy Zelano all had three RBI. Delani Sheehan started the game but came back in to pitch in the seventh and earned the save. Kasey Xenidis earned her first collegiate win in relief.
GAME 2:
The Wildcats scored in the first five innings and then closed out the Lightning before darkness fell to earn the sweep.
A pair of squeeze plays put the Wildcats on top, 2-0, in the first. Delani Sheehan started the second with a solo shot to right for the 3-0 lead. Gracie Mabrey hit into an RBI groundout in the third and the Sydney Hatch launched her first collegiate homer to left to start the fourth and give the Wildcats a 5-0 lead. Hatch then hit a two-run double off the base of the center field fence in the fifth, pushing the Wildcats' lead out to 8-1.
Kylee Gunkel set the first nine Lightning down in order. A two-out double in the fifth put the Lightning on the board and then a leadoff homer in the seventh settled the final score.
Gunkel got her third win of the season after striking out five while allowing two runs on six hits and a walk.
Maddie Vollmar went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. Sydney Hatch went 3-for-3 with a homer, a double, and three RBI. Haley Grygo, Bella Barnes, Gracie Mabrey, and Delani Sheehan all had an RBI in the nightcap as well.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats remain home this weekend as they welcome Dominican to Asbury Field for another CACC doubleheader. The opening pitch of game one is set for 12:00 p.m.
