BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - - For the third year in a row, the Wilmington University softball team has been crowned Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament Champions, defeating crosstown rival Goldey-Beacom, 2-1, on Saturday afternoon at Seaside Park.
The Wildcats (32-16) have now won six CACC Tournament Championships, all since their first one in 2014. They have won title in 2014, 2026, 2019, 2023, 2024, and 2025. They earn the CACC's automatic qualification into next week's NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament.
On Saturday, the Wildcats scored two runs in the bottom of the first and then the arms of Delani Sheehan, Kylee Gunkel, and Maddie Vollmar held the Lightning down until the seventh inning. Vollmar then got out of a bases loaded jam with one out, capturing the Championship.
The Lightning threatened in the top of the first, putting runners on second and third with one out. Cassidy Zelano came home with a grounder to short, nailing the runner at the plate. The Wildcats got out of the inning with another grounder.
Tristyn Stewart got the Wildcats going with a single and a stolen base in the bottom of the first. Vollmar walked and Haley Grygo moved up both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Bella Barnes lifted one to left for a sacrifice fly, but then the ball got away from the Lightning, allowing Vollmar to score as well.
The Lightning loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the second. Kylee Gunkel came on and induced two shallow fly balls and then struck out a batter to escape the jam unscathed.
Gunkel only allowed a walk and one hit until the seventh inning. The Lightning started the frame with back-to-back singles. A bunt single loaded the bases with one out and Maddie Vollmar came on to try and work out of the jam. Zelano came home with a grounder to short again for the second out, but an infield single cut the lead in half, 2-1. Vollmar then struck out the final batter, leaving the bases loaded for the win.
Tristyn Stewart went 2-for-3 while Eve Serrato Gracie Mabrey, and Emma Zimmerman added hits as well. Gunkel improved to 14-7 with 5.1 innings of relief while Vollmar earns her first save of her career.
Maddie Vollmar was named the CACC Tournament MVP for her efforts in all four games for the Wildcats, hitting the game-winning sacrifice fly in the First Round, a game changing two-run homer Friday against Jefferson, and earning the two-out save on Saturday.
Bella Barnes, Tristyn Stewart, Haley Grygo, and Kylee Gunkel join Vollmar on the CACC All-Tournament Team as well.
The NCAA Division II Softball Selection Show is scheduled for Monday, May 5, at 10:00 a.m. It can be viewed on NCAA.com