(MELBOURNE, Fla.) - Powered by a six-RBI performance from Alaina Eldridge and the whole lineup, the Quakers bounced back from a game one setback to earn a doubleheader split. Eldridge's walk-off single capped a thrilling comeback win over Saint Mary's.

Game 1 – 3-6 Loss Against Shenandoah University 

The Quakers got on the board quickly in the top of the 1st. Jocelyn Franz worked a leadoff walk, and Kymberlin Masino sacrificed her over to second base. Audrey Gildea followed up with an RBI single to right field, scoring Franz. With two outs, Ashely Jo Hardesty drove a gapper to right field, doubling and driving in Gildea.  

Gildea worked around some first inning traffic but struggled in the bottom of the 2nd. The freshman gave up three straight singles to lead off the inning. The first runner scored on a wild pitch, advancing the other two runners to second and third. An RBI groundout tied the score 2-2 before an RBI single to Masino gave the Hornets a 3-2 lead. The fourth run scored on a passed ball to give Shenandoah a 4-2 lead over Wilmington. 

The Hornets struck again in the bottom of the 3rd. A leadoff walked followed by a ground out and a second walk put two runners in scoring position. Gildea hit the next batter to load the bases. She walked the following hitter, bringing in a run for Shenandoah. Megan Spence relieved Gildea and escaped the jam with two straight outs.  

Alasandra Spears doubled down the left field line to lead off the top of the 5th. Addysen Stevens singled to the shortstop, moving Spears to third. Stevens stole second as Franz drove in Spears, cutting the deficit to 5-3. The Hornets answered in the bottom of the 5th with a walk and a single. A throwing error brought in the sixth run for Shenandoah to lead 6-3. Wilmington had the tying run at the plate in the top of the 7th, but Alaina Eldridge grounded out to end the game. 

Game 1 Notables 

• Audrey Gildea went 2-4 at the plate. She scored one run and had one RBI 

• Addysen Stevens slashed 2-3 at the dish with one stolen base 

• Ashley Jo Hardesty was 1-3 with a double and one RBI 

• Alasandra Spears slugged a double, going 1-3. She scored one run.  

• Megan Spence went 1-3 at the plate. In 3.1 innings of relief, the freshman allowed one run, walked one batter, allowed one hit, and struck out two.  

Game 2 – 13-12 Win Over Saint Mary's College (IN)  

Wilmington found themselves down 6-0 by the second inning. Alaina Eldridge's RBI double got the green and white on the board, scoring Ashley Jo Hardesty. Eldrige ended up scoring on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 6-2. The Belles tacked on three more runs to take a 9-2 lead in the top of the 3rd. 

The Quakers' rally was about to begin. Megan Spence and Hardesty singled to open the bottom of the 3rd. Kymberlin Masino followed the duo with a single, scoring Spence. Eldrige then sent a towering blast into deep left field, clearing the fence and bringing home three Quakers to put Wilmington within three, 9-6.  

Audrey Patel retired the side in order in the top of the 4th, keeping Wilmington's momentum in place. Spence opened up the latter half with a single again, followed by Hardesty walking. The Quakers executed a double steal to move the pair over. Eldridge drove in Spence with a sac-fly and after a walk by Spears, Hardesty scored on the throw down. 

Trailing 9-8, Patel worked around a one-out single to put up another scoreless frame in relief. Addysen Stevens' leadoff single put the Quakers in a good spot. Stevens stole second and Jocelyn Franz walked. Lauryn Humphrey was called upon off the bench, and she delivered a clutch RBI single down the left field line to tie the game 9-9. Spence got into a pickle, allowing Franz to score, giving the Quakers their first lead, 10-9.  

Patel allowed a run in the top of the 6th, prompting Grace Glaser to relieve her. Glaser got the final two outs to escape the jam. Tied 10-10, Spears smoked a two-RBI double to score Jobey Hattan and Hadley Von Bargen to retake the lead 12-10. Glaser allowed three singles in the top of the 7th to load the bases. A pop-up allowed the Belles to score one run followed by another single to tie the game 12-12.  

After a groundout, Spence worked a walk. Masino singled, moving her to third base. With one out, Eldridge laced one back up the middle, scoring Spence and walking Saint Mary's off 13-12. 

Game 2 Notables 

• Alaina Eldridge had a career day at the plate. She led the team with 6RBIs, going 4-5 at the dish with one 2B and one HR. Eldridge scored two runs. 

• Kymberlin Masino went 3-5 with one RBI one run scored. 

• Addysen Stevens finished 3-4 with a run scored and one stolen base. 

• Megan spence went 2-4 at the dish. The freshman scored three runs, walked once, and had one stolen base.  

• Ashley Jo Hardesty was 2-4, scoring three runs and walking once. The backstop had one double. 

• Alasandra Spears finished 2-3 with a double, 2 RBIs, and one walk. 

• Audrey Patel dazzled in her relief role. Patel entered with nine runs already against the Quakers. She pitched 2.2 innings, allowing just one run and three hits while striking out one batter. 

• Grace Glaser picked up her first career collegiate victory, replacing Patel late. The freshman allowed four hits and two earned runs in 1.2 innings.  

• Six Quakers had multi-hit games. Three scored 2+ runs and two drove in 2+ RBIs.  

What's Up Next 

The Quakers turn around and face Nebraska Wesleyan University at 10:00 A.M. and the University of Wisconsin-Superior at 2:30 P.M. tomorrow to close their series in the Sunshine State.