NAPLES, Florida – The Wilmington College softball team opened its spring trip to Florida with a pair of victories, defeating SUNY Brockport 5-3 and SUNY Delhi 20-2 in five innings on Sunday.
In game one, Lizz Hadley got things started in the bottom of the first with a two-run double to left field scoring Lindsey Carter and Logann Julian. The Golden Eagles couldn't solve WC starter Alexis Stringfellow early, and the Quakers made it 3-0 in the third when Olivia Doll scored on a wild pitch.
That score would hold until the bottom of the fourth when Doll, Mollie Moore and Wilson all singled with Wilson's scoring a run. Julian came up to the plate next and hit a sacrifice fly to center field scoring Moore.
Wilmington's fifth inning would end with a 4-6-3 double play, but the Quakers' defense returned the favor to top of the sixth. After an infield single, Moore leaped to grab a line drive at shortstop and doubled up the runner at first base.
Trailing 5-0 entering the seventh, Brockport rallied as Kellie Gentile ripped a double to left center field. The Burdick sisters then both tallied hits, and a fourth straight Golden Eagle hit followed, plating another run. Avree Entler relieved Stringfellow and retired the first batter she faced, but a single through the left side loaded the bases. Brockport then drew a five-pitch walk, making the score 5-3 and putting the tying run in scoring position. Entler would shut the door on a full comeback, however, as a groundout ended the game.
Stringfellow improved to 1-1 on the year, scattering six hits with the three earned runs over 6.1 innings with zero walks. Entler earned her first collegiate save by recording the final two outs. For Brockport, Victoria Angelo fell to 0-2 allowing eight hits and five earned runs with three walks in four innings.
Wilson went 3-for-3 at the top of the Quakers' lineup with a walk and an RBI while Doll also had a multi-hit contest. Hadley had the one double and drove in two of the team's five runs.
In the nightcap, Wilmington took advantage of four Bronco errors to score three runs in the first, two of which came on a deep double to left field from Carter. Delhi got two of the three runs back in the bottom of the inning, however, as two singles scored on a failed pick-off attempt at third base.
Delhi's fielding issues were not condensed to just the first inning as the Broncos committed three more in the second. McKenna Archey, Moore and Wilson all singled to being the inning, and Julian tripled to center field to score another run. Doll had the other hit of the frame, a double to deep left center field.
Leading 8-2 after two innings, the Quakers added another run in the third as Wilson tripled and was singled home by Julian. A scoreless fourth inning for both teams followed, and WC ensured the game would end in five innings by plating 10 runs on nine hits in the fifth.
Aiyana Hancock got the win in relief in her first collegiate appearance, pitching three innings of scoreless softball in relief. Izzy Rothrock started the game, striking out four and allowing one earned run. Danielle Seymour took the loss, allowing 11 earned runs on 17 hits in four innings. In total, the Broncos committed eight errors and allowed five unearned runs.
Wilmington pounded out 21 hits including eight of the extra-base variety. Wilson finished 3-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored while Julian went 3-for-4 with two triples, four RBIs and three runs scored. Doll chipped in two doubles while Riley Truesdale finished 2-for-2.
The Quakers (2-2) return to action tomorrow (Monday) with games against MCLA and Crown College at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. respectively.
