(WILMINGTON, Ohio) - Wilmington swept Capital University in a home doubleheader on Monday, earning a 6–5 victory in game one before closing out the sweep with a 2–0 win in game two.
Game 1 – 6-5 Win
The Comets struck first in game one. A two-out single drove in the visitors' first run. The Quakers answered with a two-run bottom half. Alasandra Spears led off with a walk and then stole second. A single by Alaina Eldridge advanced her to third, as Spears scored on a wild pitch. With Eldridge at third, Kymberlin Masino drove her in with a sac-fly, giving Wilmington a 2-1 lead.
The Quakers added a third run in the bottom of the 2nd. Megan Spence led off with a walk, and Audrey Gildea was hit by a pitch. A single by Jobey Hattan loaded the bases as Addysen Stevens drove in Spence on a fielder's choice to extend the lead to 3-1.
Spence allowed two singles as a runner scored on the throw down to second, cutting the Comets' deficit to 3-2. Wilmington erupted for three runs and five hits in the bottom of the 3rd. A leadoff double by Eldridge, who was replaced by Hadley Von Bargen, led to a single from Masino to score the pinch runner. Ashley Jo Hardesty then crushed a two-run homer over the left field fence to take a commanding 6-2 advantage.
Capital hit a home run in the next half, trimming the deficit to 6-3. Spence worked around some trouble in the top of the 5th to keep the score 6-3. The freshman gave up three straight hits as Wilmington led 6-5 with Audrey Patel coming in relief. A great play by Eldridge gunned down the tying run at third as Patel retired the next two batters she faced to escape the jam. Patel worked around an error to get the final two outs in the top of the 7th, securing the save and a 6-5 win.
Game 1 Notables
-
Megan Spence went 5.0+ innings, allowing 10 hits and five runs, but struck out six to secure the win, going 2-5.
Game 2 – 2-0 Win
Spears led off game two with another walk and moved to second on a passed ball. With two outs, Masino looped one to center, scoring Spears to go ahead 1-0. Belle Baughman worked around an error to retire the next three batters she faced. The veteran put the Comets down in order in the top of the 3rd.
Capital worked two walks in the top of the 4th, but Baughman navigated around the runners to escape the inning. Maddie Starnes singled in the bottom of the 4th but was stranded. Baughman's great start continued as she worked around another walk to strike out one and get the final batter to flyout.
The Quakers scored their second run in the bottom of the 5th after a two-out triple by Jocelyn Franz. The shortstop scored on a wild pitch to extend the lead to 2-0. After a leadoff walk and a single, Patel relieved Baughman. The reliever came through in the clutch, getting a sacrifice bunt, a popout, and then struck out the last batter.
Wilmington had a great opportunity in the bottom of the 6th. Hardesty and Gildea singled. Starnes advanced the two with a sac-bunt. Hattan grounded out, and Stevens walked, before Spears popped out to end the inning. Patel's stellar day in relief continued, as she struck out two batters including the final out to secure her second straight save as Wilmington swept Capital 2-0 in game two.
Game 2 Notables
-
Belle Baughman went 5.0+ innings, allowing two hits, walking four, and striking out two. She earned the win, improving to 3-2.
-
Audrey Patel secured her second straight save, starring for two innings in relief with no walks, no hits, and three strikeouts.
What's Up Next
The Quakers host the Cardinals of Otterbein University for a doubleheader as Wilmington celebrates Senior Day this Saturday with first pitch slated for 1:00 P.M.
