Gomez’s Walk-Off Lifts Softball Past Wilmington; Drops Pitchers' Duel to NYU

NAPLES, FLA. — Tied 7-7 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Bella Gomez (Whittier, Calif./Sonora) hit a walk-off single to give the St. Joseph's University, N.Y. (Brooklyn) softball team an 8-7 win over Wilmington College (Ohio) on Tuesday morning. Gomez and Maeve McKeon (Point Pleasant, N.J./Point Pleasant) led the Bears' offense as they combined to bat 5-for-9 with four runs scored and a pair of RBI.

Later in the day, New York University were the beneficiaries of a 2-0 result in an otherwise strong pitching performance from both teams.

How it Happened vs. Wilmington

The Quakers placed the Bears in a five-run hole after the first innings and a half. With two outs in the bottom of the second, a pair of triples off the bats of juniors Brianna Kilimet (Valley Stream, N.Y./Sacred Heart Academy) and Arianna Heinsch (Brooklyn, N.Y./Fontbonne Hall Academy) resulted in four runs in the frame, reducing the deficit to 5-4.

Down 6-4 in the bottom of the fourth with the bases loaded, the SJBK runners moved up a bag on a single from Sofia Logreco (San Diego, Calif./Mission Hills). The Bears tied the proceedings at six when Gomez scored later in the inning.

Wilmington once again reclaimed the lead on an RBI triple in the sixth, 7-6. Lauren Van Der Kamp (Sacramento, Calif./Rosemont) led off the bottom of the seventh with a single before advancing into scoring position on a wild pitch. She scored the tying run courtesy of McKeon's double. Down to their final at-bat, Gomez provided the heroics; singling to right to send McKeon home and to give the Bears an 8-7 win.

How it Happened vs. NYU

The two sides combined for three hits in the first two innings but could not break the scoreless deadlock. A two-out RBI single in the bottom of the third saw the Violets open the scoring. They tacked on a second run in the fourth courtesy of a sac fly. With a pair of SJBK runners on in the top of the seventh, the Bears were unable to replicate their game-one efforts as NYU took the contest, 2-0.

For the Bears vs. Wilmington

• Gomez went 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored. Her game-winning hit was her lone RBI of the contest.

• McKeon went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, and an RBI.

• Heinsch drove in a pair of runs and walked three times.

• Brooke Horn (Lakeside, Calif./El Capitan) tossed four relief innings, striking out five and conceding three hits and one run en route to her first win of the season.

For the Bears vs. NYU

• McKeon and Nicole Trani (Staten Island, N.Y./Moore Catholic) each went 2-for-3.

• Heinsch and Leila Heller (Belle Chasse, La./Belle Chasse) both finished 1-for-3.

• Horn returned to the circle for the second game, striking out a pair of Violets in two innings of relief.

• Autumn Poppett (San Diego, Calif./Mission Hills) allowed two runs, one earned, and struck out a batter as she was dealt the defeat.

Up Next

The Bears conclude their stay at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic on Wednesday, Match 15. They open against Western Connecticut State at 9 am before facing the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts at 11 am.