(ALLIANCE, Ohio) – After a doubleheader sweep over the Marietta College Pioneers last Saturday, the Wilmington College softball team earned a berth in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) tournament for the first time in program history. They ended their regular season with an overall record of 19-20 and an 8-8 mark in the OAC.
The 19 wins ties their mark from head coach
Megan Warren's first season in 2024, while the Quakers won 20 games in 2013, which is their most since joining the OAC in 2001.
As the No. 5 seed, their first-round opponent in the single elimination tournament is the No. 4 seeded Heidelberg University Student Princes. They split the season series with Heidelberg back on March 28th in Wilmington, losing game one before winning game two.
Season Overview
Leading Wilmington this season at the plate is sophomore transfer first baseman
Alaina Eldridge. She leads the team with a .419 batting average, 52 hits, 13 doubles, seven homeruns, 86 total bases, a 1.129 OPS, .694 slugging percentage, .435 on base percentage, and 124 at bats. Her 28 RBI and 27 runs scored are tied for the team lead. She has had multiple hits in 18 games this season and has started all 39 contests for Wilmington. Eldridge will enter the Top-10 in program history in several single season categories at the conclusion of the year.
Pitching wise, Wilmington is led the by the trio of
Megan Spence,
Audrey Gildea and
Belle Baughman. Gildea leads the team with seven wins, while Baughman has six and Spence four. Gildea leads the team with 45 strikeouts, with Spence right behind her with 42. Spence has a team best 4.11 earned run average over a team high 75 innings in the circle. Gildea has pitched 73.1 innings and Baughman sits at 64.2 innings pitched.
Gildea is also one to look out for at the plate. She is second on the team with a .342 batting average, 40 hits, and 117 at bats.
Other hitters to watch are
Jobey Hattan,
Alasandra Spears, and
Kymberlin Masino. Hattan is third on the team with a .329 batting average and leads the team with five triples. Spears and Masino are both batting .321. Spears is second on the team with nine doubles, three triples, and 16 walks, while sitting third on the team with 36 hits. Masino sits at third on the team with 27 RBI and is tied for third with seven doubles and 12 walks.
Scouting the Student Princes
Heidelberg's top hitter is Cara Meyer, who is batting .465 with 66 hits, 20 doubles, 39 RBI, 34 runs scored, two triples and 99 total bases over 142 at bats.
Another hitter to look for is Ellie Tressler, who is hitting .370 with 40 RBI, 51 hits, 14 doubles, six homeruns, three triples, and 89 total bases in 138 at bats.
In the circle, Haley Gockstetter is their ace at 17-4 with 77 strikeouts over 156.2 innings with a 3.31 earned run average.
From Head Coach Megan Warren
"I'm excited for our players to get to experience the postseason for the first time ever. I think this season's accomplishments are a testament to the culture at Wilmington College and the commitment that our programs have made to raising the standard for years to come. I am grateful for every extra day I get to spend with this team and can't wait to watch them compete again in the tournament!"
Other Tournament Games
The other first round matchup sees Capital University take on Baldwin Wallace University before the Quakers and Student Princes play Thursday afternoon.
The host Mount Union Purple Raiders plays the lowest remaining seed of the two first round games, while the No. 2 seeded Muskingum University Fighting Muskies battles the other team. These games take place Friday before the Championship game takes place on Saturday.
