CLERMONT, Fla. - - The Wilmington University softball team snapped its eight-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory over Mercy to end day six at the National Training Center. The team dropped the opener of the day on Wednesday, 4-1, against Wayne State (Neb.).
The Wildcats (3-9 overall) struck first in the day's opening game against Wayne State (Neb.) but failed to find the scoreboard after the first inning before falling for the eighth time in a row in Florida. But the losing streak was snapped as the Wildcats came back to score early and often against Mercy to claim the nightcap.
Kelsey Doherty started a 4-for-4 game against Wayne State (Neb.) with a single in the top of the first. The junior traveled around the bases on a pair of wild pitches before coming home on a throwing error by the catcher, giving the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead.
Sophomore Jen Fischbach was unable to hold down the Wayne State offense however, as they came right back and produced two runs on one hit, leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, taking the early 2-1 lead.
The Wildcats' offense was finding holes in the defense throughout the contest, but were unable to get the crucial hit to score any runs, as they left a pair of runners on in the third, fifth, and seventh innings. Wilmington outhit Wayne State, 7-6, but could only produce one run in the game.
Wayne State added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings, putting one run on the board in each half inning.
In addition to Doherty's four hits, Cambria Ziemba, Miranda Pedersen, and Ashley Bennett added one hit each off Wayne State starter Vicki Nielsen. Nielsen struck out five batters while walking three and allowing seven hits, but only gave up one run to earn the victory.
Fischbach worked through giving up six walks and six hits for the Wildcats, keeping them in the game with only allowing four runs. The sophomore falls to 1-2 on the year with the loss.
The nightcap ended on better note for the Wildcats, as they put three runs on the board in the bottom of the first and two more in the bottom of the second to capture the victory.
Senior Stephanie Sarris tossed a complete game five-hitter, striking out six batters on her way to her second victory of the season.
The Wildcats found themselves down 1-0 before they had a chance at the plate, but Doherty made started off the inning by reaching base for the fifth consecutive time with a lead-off hit-by-pitch. Now standing on third, Doherty was able to walk home and tie the game as Fischbach doubles down the left field line for the RBI.
Junior Michelle Panasiti stepped in and launched a two-run home run to give the Wildcats a 3-1 lead after one complete inning.
The Wildcats added to their lead in the bottom of the second as Doherty once again started the rally with a lead-off hit by pitch. Ziemba put the first two runners on base with a single through the right side before Fischbach was at it again with another double, this time to right center to score both Doherty and Ziemba for the 5-1 lead.
Sarris shut down the Mercy lineup with 1-2-3 innings in the third and fourth innings before working around a lead-off singles in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings.
Fischbach's two doubles brought in three RBI while Panasiti also batted 2-for-3 with two RBI. Doherty, Ziemba, Katrina Swank, Shannon McMahon, and Rice Fazio also collected hits for the Wildcats against Mercy.
The Wildcats wrap up their annual Florida Trip on Thursday at the National Training Center when they face Winona State and Tiffin in the afternoon. The Wildcats return home to begin their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference schedule on Saturday against Felician.
