Softball

Wilmington Sweeps Softball

April 11, 2008

WATERBURY, Conn.-After the Post University softball team pushed across the tying run in the bottom of the seventh inning, to force extra innings, Wilmington College, scratched a run in the top of the ninth inning, to take the second game of a Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) doubleheader, 2-1, at LaMoy Field Friday morning. The Wildcats won the first game 3-1.

The doubleheader was originally scheduled for the afternoon, but with the threat of rain for later in the afternoon, the start time was moved to 11 a.m. Wilmington improves to 24-10 overall and 11-1 in the CACC, while the Eagles fall to 12-18 overall and 3-11 in CACC play.

The first game started out as a pitcher's dual, as both pitchers kept opposing hitters off the board and off the base paths. Senior Caitlin McAveney (Shohola, Pa./Delaware Valley) tossed a three-hitter for the Eagles, despite getting tagged for the loss. She retired 10 of the first 11 hitter she faced. McAveney (6-9) gave up three runs (one earned) and no walks, while striking out seven batters.

Wilmington's Katie Turner was equally impressive, as she shut down the first nine hitters for the Eagles in the game. Turner (14-2) was touched for one run on three hits and no walks while striking out five.

Heather Bush ripped a double to left centerfield and came home on an error in the fourth inning to give Wilmington a 1-0 lead.

However, the Eagles tied it in the bottom of the fourth, when McAveney reached on an error by the Wilmington first baseman, which allowed senior Michelle Stotz (Naugatuck, Conn./Naugatuck) to score from third, after leading off with a single to right, and moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Desere Obregon (Bogata, N.J./Bogata).

Wilmington added two more runs in the fifth, when Lindsay Watson reached on an error by the centerfielder, which plated Lindsey Frye and a Nicole Hays homerun in the sixth.

Stotz went 2-for-3 with her third double of the season and a run scored to lead the Eagles at the plate. Freshman Tierney Marceau (Norton, Mass./Norton) went 1-for-3.

In the nightcap, Wilmington scored the first run in the top of the fifth inning, on a bunt base hit from Shustine Wilson, that brought home Frye, from third. There was an error on the play, and runners moved up to second and third. But sophomore Stephanie Carrillo (Los Angeles, Calif./New Roads) was able to get out of the jam, with a double play.

The score remained that way until the bottom of the seventh, when sophomore Samantha Canning (Lynbrook, N.Y./Lynbrook) ripped a two-out single to centerfield. Then senior Vanessa Lagares (Meriden, Conn./Orville H. Platt) reached on an error by the first baseman. Canning would go to third on the play, then Lagares stole second, and Stotz walked to load the bases for Obregon. The Bogata, N.J. native drew the second walk in a row, to plate Canning and tie the game at 1-1 to force extra innings.

Post threatened in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases, but was unable to bring the winning run home. In the top of the ninth, with the international tie-breaker in effect, Wilmington was able to score the winning run on a passed ball.

Marceau went 2-for-3 with a walk for the Eagles and Stotz went 2-for-4 with a walk, in the backend. Wilmington's Kim Lawrence gave up one run on eight hits and three walks in eight innings to get the win. Turner came on and pitched a perfect ninth inning to get the save.

Carrillo was touched for two runs on seven hits, while striking out two batters.

Post will travel to Goldey-Beacom College for a CACC doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, before returning to LaMoy Field on April 15 for a non-conference twinbill against Bentley College. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.