Press Release Written by Nathan Foltz
JACKSON TWP, N.J. - - The Wilmington University softball team got off to a slow start offensively but wrapped up its 2026 opener with a bang against Lock Haven on Friday at The Dome in Jackson Township, New Jersey, using a 10-0 shutout to split the doubleheader after a 3-0 loss in Game 1.
GAME 1:
A dominant pitching performance by the Bald Eagles was the story of the game, as the Wilmington offense was shut down to the tune of three baserunners on two hits and a hit batter.
Gabriella Saucedo roped a two-out ground-rule double in the bottom of the first for the first Wildcat hit of the year, but she would be stranded there as the only runner in scoring position in the game.
Lock Haven used back-to-back doubles in the top of the second to score the game's first run, and it would be all they needed for the win. They tacked on an insurance run in each of the fourth and seventh innings.
Freshman Jaydyn Beall's first collegiate hit in the sixth was the only other hit of the game for Wilmington.
Maddie Vollmar pitched four innings for the Wildcats, giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits with three strikeouts. Kasey Xenidis cleaned up the last three innings with solid work, allowing an unearned run on two hits and a walk.
GAME 2:
The bats came to life for the second half of the doubleheader, exploding for five runs on six hits in the first inning after a silent Game 1.
Jaydyn Beall led off the bottom of the first with a single, then stole second, and scored two batters later on Gabriella Saucedo's sac bunt. The second run came across on a double steal, with Cassidy Zelano swiping home while Brianna Greenlaw moved up to second. Singles later in the inning by freshman Addison Sabo, Jess Reed, and Krista Brunson all scored a run each.
The Wildcats batted around again in the second with another five-run outburst, with Saucedo again pushing across Beall for the first run of the inning, though this time on a single up the middle. Greenlaw followed with an RBI ground-rule double, then freshman Mia Lane hit a sac fly to center, Sabo ripped an RBI single to center, and Reed poked a ball to left to score what would be the final run for Wilmington on the day.
Addison Sabo and Jess Reed both went 2-2 with two RBI. Cassidy Zelano went 2-3, scoring a run and stealing two bases. Gabriella Saucedo also had two RBI in the game.
Olivia Hitchens picked up the win in the circle, allowing one hit with two walks and a strikeout over three shutout innings. Karen Sickle relieved her over the final two innings, stranding the bases loaded with two outs in the top of the fifth to preserve the shutout.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats are scheduled to host East Stroudsburg University next Wednesday, though the doubleheader's location is subject to change from Asbury Field. First pitch is currently scheduled for 1:00 p.m., but stay tuned to athletics.wilmu.edu/sports/sball for time and location updates.
