FT. MYERS, FL – The Wilmington College softball team pounded out 25 runs on 25 hits as they recorded their first two game sweep of the season Wednesday, beating Northland 8-0, and then defeating Cedar Crest, 17-0 – both in five innings.
"We finally made the adjustments we needed to at the plate," said Wilmington head coach Beth Floyd. "We showed a lot of discipline and patience at the plate, which really paid off. We were able to plate some run and support our pitching staff, which has been outstanding. We have been hitting, just not with runners in scoring position. We've outhit every opponent, so it finally felt good to get those timely hits and to limit the number of people left on base."
Freshman Ashley McCray (Vandalia, OH/Butler) went 2-for-2 with a triple and two RBI, while senior Nikki Tolson (Monroe, OH/Lemon Monroe) added a two-run single in the opener.
Wilmington did most of its damage in the fourth inning; scoring five runs (four unearned) putting them on the cusp of the run-ruled victory.
Senior Danielle Monnier (Houston, OH/Houston) picked up the victory (3-1), yielding just three hits in five innings with eight strikeouts.
The duo of freshman Kerrie Trautman (Hartville, OH/Field) and junior Sarah Maraan (Cincinnati, OH/McAuley) combined to allow three hits in five innings with five walks for the shutout. It's the first career shutout for either pitcher. Trautman picked up her first collegiate win (1-3), allowing two hits with three strikeouts in three innings.
"I am very pleased with our pitchers," said Floyd. "They have put us in position to win all week, and that is what we ask them to do. They have done a great job by keeping batters off balance. They have been doing a good job of supporting each other, and the system we have in place with our pitching staff has been very successful."
The Fightin' Quakers batted around in the second, third and fourth innings, scoring six, five and six runs, respectively, in posting the win over Cedar Crest.
Senior Catlin Shilling (Waverly, OH/Waverly) and Tolson each had four RBI in the victory. Shilling was 1-for-4 with an RBI walk and a bases loaded triple, and Tolson was 1-for-3 with a bases loaded double and a RBI groundout.
Senior Stacy Lunsford (Wilmington, OH/Clinton-Massie), who was moved to the three spot today, was 4-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored. Senior Lina Larsson (Skovde, Sweden/Kavelbrogymnasiet) and freshman Sydney Kelly (Cincinnati, OH/Sycamore) each had two RBI.
Sophomore Megan Warren (Grove City, OH/Grove City) scored three runs in her 3-for-5 game.
Wilmington (4-4) wraps up its spring break trip against Olivet (9 a.m.) and Edgewood (11 a.m.)