Jiao Tosses Shutout as Delaware Takes Opener at UNCW, 4-0, Before Seahawks Win Nightcap, 2-1
April 28, 2012
• Game 1 Boxscore
• Game 2 Boxscore
File Photos Courtesy of Mark Campbell
WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Blue Hen junior Chenxi Jiao tossed a four-hit shutout to lead the University of Delaware softball team to a 4-0 win over UNCW in the opener before the Seahawks rallied for a 2-1 victory in the nightcap as the teams split a Colonial Athletic Association doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Boseman Field.
The Blue Hens (12-38-1, 5-11 CAA) took the early lead during the opener, as after Delaware loaded the bases on three walks in the top of the first, Kaitlyn Breneman drilled a two-run single to rightfield, driving home Jessica Grisler and Alicea Coy.
Delaware added a run in the second when Maggie Creciun worked a walk, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a two-out single to right by Coy. In the fourth Marisa Newman led off with a single to left, and after she advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Mary O’Reilly, she came around to score when Grisler delivered an RBI single to make it a 4-0 game.
After mustering just two hits through the first six innings, the Seahawks (9-41, 4-13 CAA) looked to rally in the seventh as Stacey Pinno led off with a double and two outs later Kristen Jernigan singled to right to put runners on the corners. However Jiao then got Daniela Torres to foul out to third to end the game.
Jiao (at right) allowed just four hits and no walks while striking out seven batters, as she improved to 5-21 and recorded her second shutout of the year. UNCW pitcher Casey Rowland dropped to 1-21 after she gave up four earned runs on six hits while walking six batters.
Michelle McKinnon finished 2 for 3 for the Blue Hens while Grisler, Coy, Breneman and Newman added a hit apiece.
The nightcap remained scoreless until the top of the fourth inning, when Breneman (at left) doubled to leftcenter with two outs and Newman followed with a run-scoring single up the middle.
However the Seahawks, who were held scoreless through the first 12 innings of the twinbill, finally broke through during the bottom of the sixth. Pinno led off with a single to left, and two outs later she moved to third on a double to leftcenter by Jernigan. Laura Sykes then lined a single to left, driving home Pinno to knot the contest at 1-1.
In the seventh UNCW rallied again, quickly loading the bases as Olivia Poplin singled to left, Kelsey Eddinger legged out a bunt single, and Katie Houmard reached on a fielder’s choice. Hannah Rust then took over in the circle for Delaware, and after she got Pinno to hit a groundball back to her, Rust started a 1-2-3 double play as she looked to escape the jam. However Jordan Critcher then beat out an infield single to shortstop, allowing Eddinger to score the winning run.
Seahawks pitcher Amanda Davenport improved to 8-20 after surrendering one earned run on four hits, while Jiao gave up two earned runs on six hits in 4.1 innings of work to take the loss for UD.
McKinnon, Morgan Culver, Breneman and Newman had the four Blue Hen hits during the nightcap, with Newman posting the lone RBI.
Delaware and UNCW conclude their weekend series on Sunday with a single game beginning at 12 noon at Boseman Field.
