Softball Sweeps Wilmington to Clinch Home CACC Playoff Series

NEW CASTLE, Del. – In a battle between the last two CACC regular-season champions, the University of Bridgeport's softball team earned a pair of wins at Wilmington on Friday afternoon. The doubleheader sweep clinches a home playoff series for the Purple Knights, who are now 26-18 overall and 11-5 in conference action.

GAME ONE – Bridgeport 3, Wilmington 2
Locked in a tight battle for much of the game, the Purple Knights broke through in the sixth inning with a decisive rally.

After manufacturing their first run to even the score, senior Mya Jones delivered the biggest swing of the game. The Delaware native ripped a two-run single down the left-field line to plate both Sydnee Perreault and Sienna Lucas and give UB a 3-1 advantage.

Offense was at a premium throughout, as the Purple Knights managed just three hits—all singles—with Jones, Paityn Thibodeaux and Isabella Benjamin each recording one apiece.

Despite the limited offense, UB capitalized on its opportunities and paired it with flawless defense, committing zero errors in the field.

Three runs was enough support for UB' starting pitcher Vise Zarate, who turned in another stellar performance.

The right-hander went the distance to earn her CACC-leading 13th win of the season, allowing just two runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out two.

In the process, Zarate surpassed the 300-strikeout milestone for her career, continuing her standout season in the circle.

GAME TWO – Bridgeport 7, Wilmington 4
Riding the momentum from a tight opener, UB wasted no time setting the tone in the finale.

The Purple Knights plated two runs in the first inning before breaking things open with a three-run third.

Jones continued her standout day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI singles, including run-scoring hits in both the first and sixth innings. Her performance pushed her season average to a team-best .420, ranking third in the CACC.

The biggest swing of the afternoon came off the bat of Lacie Grenier, who blasted her first career home run—a three-run shot in the third inning—to extend UB's lead to 5-1.

One inning later, Breanna Pelaez added another milestone moment. The sophomore legged out an inside-the-park home run for her first collegiate long ball to make it 6-1.

UB's offense totaled 11 hits while scoring in four different innings. Thibodeaux was perfect at the plate with three hits and an RBI, while Perreault added a pair of hits and scored twice.

In the circle, Samantha Ledger earned her 12th victory of the season, working 4.2 innings while allowing two earned runs and striking out one.

Tanya Sanchez provided the finishing touches out of the bullpen, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings to secure her first career save.

UP NEXT
The Purple Knights will wrap up their regular season next Wednesday (April 29) with a home doubleheader against Dominican (2:30 p.m.).