Blue Hens Walk It Off to Sweep UNCW

Saturday, March 18

Newark, Del.

12:00 PM

University of Delaware

9-12, 2-2

UNCW

9-14, 3-1

UNCW

Delaware

3/18/2023 5:14:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware softball team won a pair of tight battles on Saturday afternoon, sweeping a CAA doubleheader over UNCW at Delaware Softball Diamond in the Blue Hens' home opener. The Blue & Gold took game one 3-1 before earning a walk-off 2-1 victory in game two. With the two win, Delaware improves to 10-12 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

Game One: Delaware 3, UNCW 1
Delaware used a three-run fifth inning to come from behind and take the opening game of the weekend.

Seven different Blue Hens registered a hit in the contest while Hanna Garber had a pair of RBI. Emily Winburn fired her sixth complete game of the season in the circle. She allowed just one run on five hits while striking out one to earn her seventh win.

It was a pitcher's duel early on as the teams combined for just three hits through the first four innings. In the top of the fifth, UNCW broke the deadlock with a single run on a two-out RBI single.

Delaware quickly responded in the bottom of the inning. Kristen Luzon got the rally started with a one-out single. She was replaced by Anaya Troy as a pinch-runner. Jayla Brooks followed with a single and both runners moved up to third on a wild pitch. Grace Rudolph grounded one to second base that was mishandled for an error as Troy crossed the plate to tie the game. Garber then launched a ball off the right-center field fence for a two-run triple that gave the Blue Hens a 3-1 lead.

Winburn allowed just one base runner over the final two innings to shut the door for the victory.

Game Two: Delaware 2, UNCW 1
Rudolph looped a one-out single into right field and Chloe Blantz beat the throw home to give UD the walk-off win for the doubleheader sweep.

Blantz and Katie Scheivert each had two hits in the game to pace the offense. Taylor Wroten earned her first win in a Blue Hen uniform.

UNCW again scored the first run of the game on a two-out RBI single in the top of the third inning.

The Blue Hens were finally able to break through and tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hanna Garber led off with a single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Julz Garber. Scheivert followed with a bloop single down the right field line to score Garber and even things up.

In the bottom of the seventh, Blantz led off with a single up the middle. She moved up to second on a perfect bunt single by Luzon. One out later, Rudolph lifted a soft line drive over the second baseman's head for a base hit and Blantz beat the tag at the plate for the winning run.

The two teams will conclude their three-game CAA series on Sunday. First pitch at Delaware Softball Stadium is set for 1 p.m.

For the latest on the Delaware softball program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @Delaware_SB and Instagram @delaware_sb and like "Delaware Softball" on Facebook.