NEW CASTLE, Del. - - The winning streak has reached double digits as the Wilmington University softball team swept a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader from Concordia, 5-1 and 5-1, at Asbury Field on Tuesday afternoon.
With the two win, Wilmington (14-15, 6-0 CACC) extended its season long win streak to 10 consecutive games as the Wildcats remain atop the CACC. Concordia could only muster seven hits in the two games, falling to 8-11 overall and 5-7 in the CACC.
Backing up her no-hitter performance from a week ago, junior pitcher Katie Warrington threw a two-hitter and was three outs away from her third straight complete game shutout but the Clippers led off the top of the seventh with a solo home run. She also tied her season high with 11 strikeouts, matching last week's effort.
The bats also came alive in the doubleheader, as the Wildcats smacked 17 hits, including three home runs to earn the sweep.
The scoring starting in the bottom of the fourth for the Wildcats as Jillian Stafford led off the inning with a double in the gap in right center. Replacing Stafford, Warrington moved to third on a passed ball and came home with the first run on a sacrifice fly by Amanda Crockett. Chelsea Botsch reached base on an error, and promptly came around the bases as Rachel Painter punched a two-run home run to right center to make it 3-0. The home run was Painters first of the freshman's career.
Warrington shut the Clippers down in order in the top of the fifth, allowing the offense to get back in the box and keep the bats hot. The Wildcats scored two more runs in the fifth fueled by back-to-back run scoring singles by Stafford and Crockett. Brooke Berger led off the inning with a single while Kinsley Parker also singled in the inning.
The junior pitcher set the visitors down in order again the sixth and ended the game with three straight outs in the seventh following the home run by Angela D'Amico.
The scoring started earlier for the Wildcats in game two, as they bats remained alive through the first three innings.
Shelby Thompson opened the bottom of the first with a single, stole second and was standing on third in no time on a balk. Christin Headley knocked in Thompson with the game's first run, setting the stage for the sweep.
With one out in the second, Kristin Garvin sent a ball over the fence in the right center with what would be the game-winning run for her first home run of the season. The Wildcats weren't done however in the second, as three walks and a single extended the inning and Headley credited with an RBI on the bases loaded walk.
The third inning also featured some fireworks, as Stafford launched a ball over the wall in centerfield for the 4-0 lead after three complete innings.
Concordia sent five batters to the plate in the top of the fourth but could only scratch one run across off game two starter Botsch. The Clippers got back-to-back single to lead off the inning but only scored on a sacrifice fly as Botsch got a strikeout and a pop up to end the inning.
Painter added to her day at the plate as the freshman singled back up the middle scoring Stafford from third. Painters second RBI on the play was cut down at the plate, as Botsch was thrown out from centerfield.
Botsch finished the complete game, giving up one run (unearned) on four hits to improve to 5-5 on the season. She collected five strikeouts on the afternoon.
Stafford batted 3-for-5 with the home run and her team leading 10th double, adding two RBI's and two runs scored. Painter batted 2-for-4 in the doubleheader, hitting the home run and finishing with three RBI's and two runs scored. Berger batted 3-for-5 in game one while Thompson and Headley picked up two hits apiece in game two.
The team's 10-game winning streak will be put to the test again on Wednesday, as the Wildcats make up a postponed doubleheader against Felician. The games are from a March 24 rainout, and will be played on Asbury Field starting at 3 p.m.
