Press Release Written by Nathan Foltz
Video Recap at Bottom of Page
NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The Wilmington University softball team picked up its first doubleheader sweep of the season on Wednesday, defeating Adelphi 6-5 and 5-4 at Asbury Field.
The narrow victories saw Wilmington score the go-ahead run in each of their final at-bats, using a walk-off bunt in Game 1 in the bottom of the seventh and back-to-back doubles with two outs in Game 2's bottom of the sixth to secure the wins.
GAME 1:
Wilmington jumped ahead early with three two-out runs in the bottom of the first, which came on an RBI triple by Maddie Vollmar and a Mia Lane two-run home run. Vollmar came through again in the third, ripping a single to left to bring in Gabriella Saucedo from second and then coming all the way around to score herself after the ball went under the left fielder's glove.
The Wildcats' 5-0 lead started to crack in the top of the fourth, though, with the Panthers smashing a two-run homer for their first runs of the day. Then, two innings later, Adelphi created chaos on the bases, tying the game on a three-run little league home run that was fueled by two Wilmington throwing errors. Karen Sickle then came on in relief after a Panther double, and she was able to retire the only batter she faced with a strikeout to strand the go-ahead run on third.
After going 1-2-3 in the bottom of the sixth, the Wildcats forced the Panthers to do the same in the top of the seventh to take some momentum into the bottom of the frame. Cassidy Zelano started things by reaching on a fielding error by the shortstop, then advanced to second on Rylee Maloney's sac bunt. Caroline Scott then singled to move Haley Grygo (pinch running for Zelano) to third, and then with runners on second and third, Jess Reed put down the squeeze bunt that brought in Grygo after the pitcher couldn't come up with it.
Karen Sickle picked up the win after covering the final 1.1 innings, setting down all four batters she faced with a punchout. Kasey Xenidis started and pitched well, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits, a walk, and two strikeouts over 5.2.
Mia Keenan (double), Maddie Vollmar (triple), and Mia Lane (two-run homer) all had extra-base hits in the game. Vollmar was the only Wildcat with multiple hits, going 2-3, and she and Lane each had two RBI.
GAME 2:
The second game of the day saw Adelphi score first, as they used a barrage of bloop hits and soft contact to single home two runs. Wilmington had a response in the second inning, bringing home a run on a Rylee Maloney double to cut the deficit in half, but Adelphi took a 4-1 lead on a towering two-run home run to left in the top of the third.
The Wildcats bounced right back in the bottom of the inning, putting the first three runners on with a single and two hit by pitches before Angelina Edwards worked an RBI walk. After a strikeout, Maloney came through again with an RBI single to center, and then Jaydyn Beall wrapped up the inning's scoring with a single of her own that brought home Edwards' run and tied the game before Maloney was thrown out at home.
Neither team threatened much in the fourth and fifth, and after Olivia Hitchens set the Panthers down in order in the top of the sixth, Maddie Vollmar and Mia Lane hit back-to-back doubles to give the Wildcats their first lead of the game. Adelphi put a runner on with a one-out single in the seventh, but Hitchens struck out the next hitter and then induced a foul pop to third to shut the door on a Panther comeback attempt.
Hitchens went the distance, allowing four runs (three earned) on ten hits with five strikeouts.
Vollmar, Lane, and Maloney all ripped doubles, with Lane going 2-3 and Maloney 3-3. Maloney was also the lone Wildcat with two RBI.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats will begin conference play on Saturday, heading up to Orangeburg to take on Dominican. First pitch in New York is set for 12:00 p.m.