NEWTOWN, Pa. - - The Wilmington University softball team recorded 10 hits and left 12 runners on base but couldn't scratch a run across as it was swept by Holy Family, 3-0 and 1-0, in a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference doubleheader at Helen Randle Park on Monday.
The losses snapped an eight game winning streak for the Wildcats (28-18, 15-7 CACC) as they fell to a tie in fourth place in the CACC standings with two doubleheader series remaining. Holy Family (20-20, 14-8 CACC) evened its overall record with the wins, receiving complete game shutouts from Rachel Alligood and Victoria Reuscher.
The Wildcats received good enough pitching from Chelsea Botsch and Katie Warrington, but the hitters left seven runners on base in game one and five more in game two to fall short. The offense mustered five hits in each game; with five different players collecting one hit each in both games.
The team's best chance to get on the board in the first game came in the third inning, when only trailing 1-0. Rachel Painter led off the inning with a walk, but failed to move past first base as the next two batters recorded outs. With Botsch on first after a fielder's choice, the sophomore stole second to get a runner in scoring position. Cambria Ziemba singled, but kept the ball in the infield, making Botsch stop at third. Ziemba stole second to put two in scoring position and Brook Ash followed with a single to third, but Ziemba was caught off the bag at second before the run could cross the plate.
Now down 3-0 going into the top of the seventh, Sky Boris led off the inning with a double to left field. Two batters later, Painter walked once again to put runners on first and third with one out. Ashley Witte hit another infield single to load the bases, but back-to-back ground balls kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard as the game ended.
Botsch went all six innings in the loss, falling to 10-8 on the year. She struck out two while walking one, giving up three runs, but only two earned.
Warrington, the reigning CACC Pitcher of the Week, stayed hot from inside the circle, striking out 11 more batters while not allowing a walk. The senior only gave up three hits, but it was a bloop single over the head of Christin Headley at short in the fifth that doomed the Wildcats. Warrington fell to 14-4 on the year.
The Wildcats left two runners on in the third as Emily Nowell and Ash singled to put a pair on with two outs. But the visitors were unable to capitalize as a grounder back to the pitcher ended the threat.
With two on in the sixth, Ziemba and Headley attempted a double steal to get each runner in scoring position, but Ziemba was cut down at third for the second out in the inning. With the wind out of their sails, a strikeout ended the inning, leaving the tying run at second.
Ziemba, Ash, and Boris were the only Wildcats to record a hit in each game, with Painter reaching twice in game one on a pair of walks.
Wilmington has two more series this week to get back in a rhythm before the CACC Tournament starting on May 2. The Wildcats will make up their doubleheader with Georgian Court this Friday, April 26 at Asbury Field. It is the final home series for the Wildcats in 2013. First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
