(WILMINGTON, Ohio) - Wilmington split its home doubleheader with Heidelberg on Thursday afternoon, dropping the opener 4–2 before rallying for a 5–4 win in game two. 

Game 1 – 2-4 Loss  

The Student Princes beat Belle Baughman in the top of the 1st. Two singles and a fielder's choice put runners on first and second. Two more singles drove in the first run and loaded the bases. Baughman walked in the second run as the visitors led 2-0 after the top half. 

Heidelberg added two more runs with two outs in the top of the 2nd. Back-to-back doubles scored the third and fourth runs. The Quakers broke through in the bottom of the 3rd. Jocelyn Franz roped a leadoff triple, and Megan Spence reached on an error, bringing in Franz. Wilmington scored their second run in the bottom of the 4th. Audrey Gildea was brought home by Addysen Stevens after a leadoff single.  

In relief, Gildea mowed down the Student Princes. The Quakers threatened in the bottom of the 5th with singles by Spence and Alaina Eldridge, but Alasandra Spears flew out to close the inning. Wilmington went down in order in the bottom of the 7th, falling 4-2 in the first contest. 

Game 1 Notables 

• Megan Spence went 2-4 at the plate. 

• Alaina Eldridge and Audrey Gildea each finished 2-3. 

• Jocelyn Franz went 1-4, with a triple and one run scored. 

• Addysen Stevens was 1-2, with an RBI and a stolen base. 

• Gildea fired off 5.1 scoreless innings in relief. The freshman struck out four, allowed three hits, and walked and hit one batter. 

Game 2 – 5-4 Win 

Consecutive singles by Alaina Eldridge and Ashley Jo Hardesty put runners on base for the Quakers in the bottom of the 2nd. Kymberlin Masino singled past the shortstop, scoring Eldridge to put Wilmington ahead 1-0. Heidelberg answered in the top of the 3rd. A leadoff single and two fielder choices with an error brought in the tying run. 

Megan Spence smoked a one-out single in the bottom of the third, and Gildea reached on an error. With two outs, Hardesty crushed a double down the left field line, scoring both Spence and Gildea to retake the lead, 3-1. The Student Princes rallied, taking the lead in the top of the 5th. Two straight two out doubles tied the game, followed by a triple to deep center to score the go ahead run. Trailing 4-3, Gildea came back out in relief to record the final out. 

Wilmington's offense jumped back in front in the bottom of the 5th. A one-out single by Gildea and Eldridge put runners on first and second. Masino singled again, scoring Hadley Von Bargen, who ran for Gildea. A walk by Alasandra Spears loaded the bases, and Maddie Starnes was hit by the next pitch, bringing in the go-ahead run. Leading 5-4, Gildea allowed no more baserunners and sat down Heidelberg 1-2-3 in the 6th and 7th to secure Wilmington's 5-4 victory.  

Game 2 Notables 

• Ashley Jo Hardesty went 2-3 with 2 RBIs and a double. 

• Kymberlin Masino finished 2-2 with 2 RBIs and a walk. 

• Alaina Eldridge scored two runs, going 2-3.  

• Megan Spence and Audrey Gildea each had one hit and scored a run. 

• Gildea, again, starred in relief going 2.1 innings with no runs, three strikeouts and just one walk. She allowed no hits. 

What's Up Next 

The Quakers head to the University of Mount Union on Friday, April 3, for a doubleheader slated to start at 1:00 P.M. Wilmington is looking for their first win over the Purple Raiders since 2017.