Video Highlights at Bottom of Page
NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The six Wilmington University softball seniors shined in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader sweep of Caldwell on Sunday, 3-2 and 7-0, at Asbury Field on Senior Day.
GAME 1:
A two-run bottom of the fourth gave the Wildcats (23-13, 12-2 CACC) the lead of the good as senior Kylee Gunkel shut down the Cougars, 3-2.
Senior Bella Barnes knocked in the first run of the day with a two-out double in the bottom of the first. Caldwell tied the game with their first two batters of the fourth inning, but then Gunkel left the go-ahead runner on third by striking out the side.
Senior Delani Sheehan started the fourth with a one-out single. Now with two on, Sydney Hatch hit an RBI double to left center before Cassidy Zelano followed it up with an RBI single to give the Wildcats a 3-1 lead.
The Cougars loaded the bases with only one out in the sixth, but only scored one run as Gunkel induced a fly out and picked up a key strikeout to keep the 3-2 lead. Gunkel then left two on in the seventh, ending the game with a grounder.
Kylee Gunkel improved to 10-5 on the year with the complete game, striking out eight while allowing two runs on four hits.
Delani Sheehan went 2-for-3 while Bella Barnes and Sydney Hatch had doubles. Senior Emma Zimmerman had a single in the game as well.
GAME 2:
The seniors concluded the Saturday sweep with a 7-0 win in game two, hitting two homers while each senior in the lineup came up with a hit.
Sydney Hatch hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first for the 1-0 lead and then made it 2-0 with an RBI single to start the bottom of the third. Senior Eve Serrato added to the lead with a one-out, two-run blast in the inning, giving the Wildcats a 4-0 lead.
Senior Delani Sheehan left a runner on base in each of the first four innings and then finally had a 1-2-3- inning in the fifth.
Senior Tristyn Stewart moved around the bases on her own in the sixth. She got on with an infield single, stole second, moved to third on a fly out, and then stole home as the catcher threw the ball back to the pitcher. Hatch doubled and then senior Bella Barned blasted a two-run homer to give the Wildcats a 7-0 lead.
Senior Emma Zimmerman singled up the middle to lead off the second inning.
Sheehan struck out six while only allowing four hits and five walks to improve to 8-6 on the year. Stewart had three hits, two runs, and three stolen bases. Freshmen Haley Grygo and Sydney Hatch had two this each while Hatch, Barnes, and Serrato all had two RBI in the game.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats' busy week continues Sunday as they travel to East Region heavyweight Pace in their final nonconference doubleheader of the season. The first pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
