WILMINGTON, Ohio - Heidelberg University spoiled the Wilmington College softball team's Senior Day on Saturday, winning game one 7-4 and coming from five runs down to take the nightcap of the Ohio Athletic Conference (O)AC twinbill 7-6.
In game one, Heidelberg starter Caitlin Dems retired the Fightin' Quakers in order the first time through the lineup. The Student Princes, which got a runner into scoring position in each of the first two innings without scoring, got to Wilmington starter Izzy Rothrock in the third. After a bunt and a single set the table, Megan Bame ripped a doubled to left center for the first two runs of the game.
After both teams scored a run in the fourth, Maddie Gossard scored two runs with a single to right center. The Quakers would load the bases in the fifth and get multiple runners into scoring position in the sixth, but couldn't deliver an RBI-hit. A four-hit seventh innings extended the Student Prince lead to 7-1, but the Quakers would mount a rally in the bottom of the inning.
Wilmington would load the bases with one out, and this time, the Quakers delivered. A Lindsey Carter fielder's choice groundout scored a run, and a Hayley Suchland double to right scored both Carter and Kennedy Clifton. The hosts wouldn't get quite get the tying run to the plate, however, as Lizz Hadley lined out to second base to end the game.
Dems earned her sixth complete-game of the season and sixth victory, scattering nine hits with six strikeouts over the seven innings. Rothrock fell to 2-9 on the season allowing a dozen hits with four strikeouts in 6.1 innings. Hannah Hall pitched out the final two innings for WC.
Jessica Voitko and Hanna Blasinksy each finished 3-of-4 for Heidelberg while Bame went 1-for-2 with that double to go along with two RBIs, two walks and two runs scored. The top of Wilmington's lineup – Judaea Wilson, Carter and Suchland – went 2-for-4 with Wilson and Suchland hitting doubles.
In the nightcap, Wilmington benefited from three Heidelberg errors in the first to score three runs in the first inning. Logann Julian added to the lead with an RBI-single to center field scoring Carter in the third. In the fourth, a diving catch from Carter in left field during a would-be double into a sacrifice fly. After flashing the leather in the top of the fourth, Carter flashed the bat, launched a two-run home run over the left field fence to give the hosts a 6-1 lead after four complete.
Unfortunately for the Quakers, the Student Princes would take control over the final three innings. Heidelberg scored three runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and two in the seventh to take the lead. Suchland looked to open the bottom of the seventh with a would-be double to left center, but Kat Brady made a diving catch to prevent the hit. McKenna Archey would get on first with a single down the left field line, but wouldn't get further as a groundout ended the game and completed the Student Prince comeback.
Voitko, who started as the designated player, earned the win in relief by pitching three innings of one-hit softball with four strikeouts. Alexis Stringfellow took the loss, allowing 13 hits and five earned runs with five walks and five strikeouts.
Offensively, Emma Dean finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and two doubles while Blasinsky also had a three-hit contest for Heidelberg. For Wilmington, Carter finished 2-for-4 with the home run, two RBIs and three runs scored while Hadley turned in a three-hit game.
Wilmington (12-14, 5-9 OAC) step out of conference play for what could be the final time on the 2022 season for a twinbill with Defiance College on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
