Press Release Written by Nathan Foltz

TAMPA, Fla. - - The Wilmington University softball team wrapped up its Florida trip with two losses at the University of Tampa, falling 6-2 and 1-0 at Naimoli Field on Friday.

After winning their first game against Sioux Falls on Sunday, the Wildcats dropped nine straight to head back north with a 3-11 record. They have been outscored by opponents 67-9 during that stretch.

GAME 1:
Tampa was the first to get on the board in Game 1, using a two-out single in the third to take a 1-0 lead. They tacked on another in the fourth and three more in the fifth on three straight RBI knocks, putting Wilmington in a five-run hole with two at bats left.

Things got interesting in the sixth, when the Wildcats responded to Tampa's three runs by loading the bases with one out. Rylee Maloney was the first to cut into the Spartans' lead with a pinch-hit single to left that moved everybody up a station, and then Addison Sabo threaded one up the middle for run number two. That was unfortunately all Wilmignton could come up with, though, as Tampa re-entered their starting pitcher to induce a 5-2 fielder's choice and a grounder to first to escape without further damage.

The Spartans added another insurance run with a two-out single in the bottom of the inning and then set the Wildcats down 1-2-3 in the seventh to close it out.

Addison Sabo was the only Wildcat with multiple hits, going 2-3 with a double and picking up an RBI. Mia Lane, Olivia Hitchens, Rylee Maloney, Jaydyn Beall, and Krista Brunson each had a knock as well.

Maddie Vollmar started and took the loss, going 4.2 innings while giving up five runs on eight hits and four walks with four strikeouts. Olivia Hitchens threw an inning and a third of relief, allowing a run on a hit and two walks, while striking out one.

GAME 2:
A first-inning, two-out RBI single was all Tampa needed to get the win in the contest, as both teams struggled to get runners into scoring position or do anything when they got there. Each team only had five hits in the game.

Brianna Greenlaw had a one-out single in the seventh and then advanced to second on a passed ball, giving Wilmington one last opportunity to tie the game up. The next two batters popped up to the pitcher and flew out to center, though, ending the Wildcat threat and the game.

Kasey Xenidis threw the first inning and a third of the game, allowing the one run on two hits with a walk and a strikeout. Clara Babyak was effective in relief and kept the Wildcats in the game, only allowing three hits and two walks while striking out one over the final 4.2 frames.

Rylee Maloney hit well out of the two spot in the lineup, going 2-3. Hailey Trapani, Brianna Greenlaw, and Cassidy Zelano were the only other Wildcats to reach base, all on singles.

UP NEXT:
Wilmington will finally head back to their home turf after a week in the Sunshine State, though they won't play for almost a week. The first opportunity to catch the Wildcats at Asbury Field in 2026 will be next Thursday, March 12, with a doubleheader against Millersville, beginning at 2:00 pm.