GARDEN CITY, N.Y. - - Big innings allowed the Wilmington University softball team to sweep Adelphi, 6-1 and 7-2, and earn its 20th win of the season on Thursday at Ficke Field.
Take away the two pandemic-shortened seasons of 2020 and 2021, the Wildcats have won 20 or more games every season since 2007. The Wildcats have now won seven straight games against the Panthers, including defeating the Panthers in each of the past two NCAA Division II East Super Regional Championships to advance to the past two NCAA DII Softball Championships.
GAME 1:
A five-run third inning allowed the Wildcats (21-13) to distance themselves from the Panthers (12-16) in the opener. Kylee Gunkel took care of the rest for the Wildcats, spinning another complete game to improve to 9-5 on the year.
The Wildcats got on the board in the top of the second inning, as Bella Barnes homered for the second day in a row. She led off the inning with her fourth homer of the year for the 1-0 lead.
The Wildcats put two on with no outs in the top of the third inning. Sydney Hatch hit an infield single to bring in the first run of the inning. After a walk loaded the bases, freshman Haley Grygo emptied them with a grand slam, giving the Wildcats a 6-0 lead.
Kylee Gunkel only allowed two base runners from the fourth inning on, leaving a runner on first as the game ended, 6-1.
Bella Barnes went 2-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored. Grygo finished 1-for-2 with a walk and four RBI.
GAME 2:
Delani Sheehan and Tori Parente were in a pitchers' duel through the first four inning before the Wildcats struck with a five-run fifth inning.
Sheehan helped her own cause with an RBI single, scoring Alexa Eisemann with the game's first run. Two errors loaded the bases for the Wildcats with only one out and Grygo came through again. Grygo singled into left to score two runs and then Bella Barnes added another two-run single two batters later and the Wildcats were leading 5-0.
Sheehan ran into trouble in the sixth as Adelphi doubled and tripled to start the frame. They came up with another two-out RBI single off reliever Kylee Gunkel, cutting the Wildcats lead to 5-2.
But the Wildcats answered right back with two insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Bella Barnes remained red-hot, coming up with an RBI single while an error brought in another un on the play and the Wildcats regained a 5-2 lead. Gunkel left a runner on first to close out the sweep as well.
Emma Zimmerman went 3-for-4 with a double while Bella Barnes went 2-for-4 with three RBI. Haley Grygo went 2-for-4 with two RBI while Delani Sheehan picked up the win and went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the game.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats return to Asbury Field and to Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play on Saturday, welcoming Caldwell to New Castle for a doubleheader. The first pitch of game one is set for 12:00 p.m.