NEW CASTLE, Del. - - Late game rallies saw the fourth-ranked Wilmington University softball team and West Chester University split a 2025 season opener doubleheader on Sunday, with the Wildcats winning game one, 6-4, before falling, 5-2, in the nightcap at Asbury Field.
GAME 1:
A five-run fourth inning propelled the Wildcats to a comeback victory, taking the opening game of the 2025 season, 6-4. Delani Sheehan struck out a career-best 13 batters in the complete game win.
After striking out the first batter of the game, Sheehan ran into trouble after a walk, a fielder's choice, and a bloop single loaded the bases. West Chester's Paige Marabell then hit a bases-clearing double, giving the visitors a 3-0 lead.
The offense didn't get going until the third inning, using a two-out error to kickstart the inning. The Cassidy Zelano singled and stole second to put runners on second and third. Gracie Mabry collected her first collegiate base hit, scoring Tristyn Stewart but getting tagged out before Zelano could cross the plate.
A two-out RBI gave the Golden Rams a 4-1 lead in the top of the fourth, but then the Wildcats took the lead. With two outs and runners on second and third, Emma Zimmerman doubled to left center, plaint both runners. The next two batters walked to load the bases and then a wild pitch allowed the tying run to come home. Cassidy Zelano then tapped one in front of the plate, beating the throw at first. Alexa Eisemann scored and then Stewart followed, never stopping from second base to make it 6-4.
Sheehan struck out two batters with runners in scoring position in the fifth, and then got a line drive double play in the seventh before ending the game with one final strikeout.
Haley Grygo went 2-for-3 in her collegiate debut, hitting a double and a single. Cassidy Zelano went 2-for-3 with two RBI as well.
GAME 2:
A three-run homer in the top of the seventh inning allowed the visitors to earn the split. The Wildcats threatened in the home half, bringing the winning run to the plate, but couldn't scratch a run across.
West Chester again struck in the top of the first inning, starting a two-out, bases empty rally. The Wildcats answered in the bottom of the second inning, taking the lead on a Kylie Saienni single. Emma Zimmerman scored on the single and then Sydney Hatch scurried home as the ball got away from the pitcher.
West Chester tied the game with a double off the base of the center field wall in the top of the fourth. The Wildcats had chances in the fourth and fifth innings, but left two runners on each time.
The Golden Rams had runners on the corners with one out in the seventh. A grounder to Haley Grygo was fielder and she tagged the runner out on third for the second out. But Kylee Gunkel couldn't get out of the jam, as Paige Marabell hit a three-run homer to left to take a 5-2 lead.
Stewart, Zelano, and Grygo all reached in the bottom of the seventh, but Stewart was thrown out at the plate for the second out. Sheehan was hit by a pitch to put the tying run on and load the bases, but West Chester picked up a punchout to end the game, 5-2.
Kylee Gunkel earned the tough loss with five strikeouts and four walks, falling to 0-1. Zelano went 2-for-4 with a double in the game.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats take their annual trip south, as they begin their week in Florida with a doubleheader at Florida Southern on Wednesday afternoon.