Wilmington College

(MARIETTA, Ohio) - With the sweep of Marietta, Wilmington has clinched their first ever Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament berth. The Quakers enter as the five seed, while simultaneously finishing .500 in conference play for the first time in program history. 

Game 1 – 3-2 Win over Marietta 

The Pioneers struck first against Megan Spence in the bottom of the 2nd. A one-out solo home run put the hosts ahead 1-0, as the freshman was able to navigate around traffic to strand three runners. Wilmington responded in the top of the 3rd. Spence led off with a single and Jocelyn Franz walked. Jobey Hattan singled in Spence after a sac-bunt. Franz scored on a throwing error to take a 2-1 lead. With two outs, Audrey Gildea ripped a double to score Hattan, going ahead 3-1. 

Spence remained in control through the fifth inning before Audrey Patel came in relief. Inheriting two runners on, Patel got a fly out and an inning ending double play to escape the trouble. The Pioneers scored one run in the bottom of the 7th, but the Quakers took game one 3-2. 

Game 1 Notables 

• Audrey Gildea led the Quakers at the plate, going 2-3 with a double and an RBI. 

• Jobey Hattan went 1-3 with an RBI, one run, and a stolen base. 

• Megan Spence went 5.0 innings, allowing two hits and only one earned run. She walked four and struck out four, earning her fourth win of the year. At the plate, the freshmen went 1-2 with one run. 

• Audrey Patel recorded her third save of the season, going 2.0 innings with two hits and one earned run. 

Game 2 – 6-4 Win over Marietta 

Jobey Hattan opened game two with a solo home run to put the Quakers up 1-0. Belle Baughman retired the side in order in the bottom half. The senior allowed two straight doubles, before a passed ball scored the Pioneers' first run. A fielder's choice drove in the host's second run as Marietta led 2-1.  

In the top of the 4th, Alasandra Spears and Ashley Jo Hardesty worked two-out walks. Kymberlin Masino doubled to left, scoring both runners to put Wilmington ahead 3-2. A leadoff double and single put Baughman in trouble. She rolled a groundout, but the tying run came across. The sides remained knotted at 3-3 until the bottom of the 6th when a solo home run by Marietta gave them a 4-3 lead. 

Looking to rally, Masino led off with a single in the top of the 7th. Maddie Starnes singled after two outs, moving Franz to second, who reached on a fielder's choice. An RBI single by Hattan tied the game 4-4 before Alaina Eldridge crushed a two RBI double to give Wilmington a 6-4 lead. Gildea retired the side in order to sweep the Pioneers 6-4 in game two. 

Game 2 Notables 

• Jobey Hattan led Wilmington, going 3-4 with a home run and a triple. The freshman had 2 RBIs and scored two runs.  

• Kymberlin Masino went 2-3 with a double and 2 RBIs in her return to action.  

• Maddie Starnes was 1-4 with a run. 

• Alaina Eldridge slugged a double, going 1-4 with 2 RBIs. 

• Audrey Gildea finished 1-3 with a walk. 

• Belle Baughman went 3.0 innings, allowing 6 hits and three runs.  

• Gildea earned the win, going 4.0 innings in relief. She allowed three hits and just one run, while striking out two. The freshman improved to 7-5. 

What's Up Next 

Wilmington turns around tomorrow to face Transylvania University on the road, with game one starting at 1:00 P.M. For the first time in program history, the Quakers have clinched a spot in the OAC playoffs. The green and white will take the five seed and take on the four seed on Thursday, May 7th at 3:00 P.M.