Press Release Written by Nathan Foltz
NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The fifth-seeded Wilmington University softball team closed out its season with a pair of losses on Thursday, as they were eliminated from the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Tournament at Asbury Field in New Castle, Delaware. The Wildcats fell 5-4 to top-seeded Caldwell on a walkoff single in their first game of the day, then lost 2-0 to No. 2 Felician to end the afternoon.
Wilmington couldn't find consistency in the field in Game 1, as all five runs scored by Caldwell were unearned thanks to four Wildcat errors. They only made one error and allowed just two runs in Game 2, but the offense was shut down to only two hits while going 0-4 with runners in scoring position.
GAME 1 vs. CALDWELL:
The CACC Tournament's first game of the day featured the top-seeded Cougars taking on the fifth-seeded Wildcats, and it was a close contest till the end with neither team holding a lead larger than two runs at any point.
Wilmington scored first, plating two runs in the top of the third on a squeeze bunt by Hailey Trapani with runners on second and third. Cassidy Zelano dashed home off the bat, and then Trapani baited a throw down to second to allow Mia Keenan to score as well.
Caldwell got the runs back in the bottom of the frame, however, and they were only able to do so thanks to a pair of Wildcat errors. With a runner on first and one out, the Cougars put down a sac bunt to the pitcher, but Olivia Hitchens threw the ball over Rylee Maloney's head to allow the baserunner to score and the batter to get all the way to third. Then, after a foul popout to third, a second unearned run came across when Trapani dropped a flyball in right.
The Wildcats retook the lead in the top of the fourth inning on a two-out RBI single by Maloney, but the rally ended there as Zelano was gunned down at home by the Cougar centerfielder on the play. The back-and-forth continued in the bottom of the inning, with Caldwell taking a 4-3 lead on more Wilmington miscues. Another throwing error on a sac bunt allowed a run to score, and then a wild pitch brought home the go-ahead run.
It was finally Wilmington's turn to capitalize on their opponent's defensive mistakes in the top of the fifth, as an obstruction call on a steal attempt by Trapani put a runner in scoring position with one out. Gabriella Saucedo then came up with two gone and grounded one out to short, but the throw went to the fence, and Saucedo ended up trading places with Trapani to tie the game at 4-4.
Neither team scored in their next two at-bats, setting the stage for the bottom of the seventh. After Maddie Vollmar picked up a strikeout for the first out, she added to the Wildcat fielding woes with a throwing error on a bunt back to her, putting the winning run on second. A bunt single moved the runner up to third, but Vollmar got another K to give Wilmington a shot at extras. The softball gods had other plans, however, as Caldwell's Emily Kurth shot a ball back up the middle for a walkoff single, sending the Wildcats to an elimination game later in the day.
Vollmar (6-11) took the loss, covering the final 4.1 innings in relief. She allowed three runs (none earned) on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Olivia Hitchens started the game and went 2.1 IP before exiting, giving up two runs (zero earned) on a hit, a walk, and a strikeout.
Hailey Trapani was the only Wildcat with multiple hits, going 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Seven other Wildcats recorded hits as well, with Rylee Maloney picking up an RBI and Mia Lane and Cassidy Zelano each stealing a base.
GAME 2 vs. FELICIAN:
There wasn't much offense for either team in this one, but the Golden Falcons had the big blast that proved to be the difference in the game.
Although they went hitless through the first three innings, Wilmington looked to have a chance to take an early lead in the top of the second. One-out walks by Gabriella Saucedo and Cassidy Zelano put two on, and then with two outs, they executed a double steal to put two in scoring position. Nothing came of the opportunity, though, as a flyout ended the inning.
Felician struck for the first and only time in the bottom of the third, as CACC Rookie of the Year Karina De La Vega stepped up and deposited a ball over the right field fence for a two-run homer. It was one of two at-bats taken by the Golden Falcons with a runner in scoring position all game, but they capitalized on the moment to take a 2-0 lead.
Wilmington showed some life in the top of the fourth, but Saucedo was stranded at second after lacing a two-out double. They put another runner on second with two outs in the fifth, but pinch-hitter Caroline Scott's hard-hit liner was snagged up the middle for out number three.
A single by Addison Sabo in the sixth was the only other hit in the contest for Wilmington, as they went 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh to end the game.
Starting pitcher Kasey Xenidis (2-9) was tagged with the loss, but had a solid outing outside of allowing the decisive homer. She allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings, striking out two and getting Felician to hit into a pair of double plays. Olivia Hitchens pitched a perfect sixth inning with a punchout.
Sabo and Saucedo had the Wildcats' two hits, with Saucedo's double the only extra-base hit on the day for Wilmington.