CLERMONT, Fla. -- The Ohio Dominican softball team could not hold onto a late lead as they fell to Wilmington (DE), 8-6.

The Panthers (0-14) were able to take a lead into the seventh inning against Wilmington (7-2), as the Wildcats would score six in the final frame.

The Panthers would score in the first inning for the fourth time in seven games. ODU would score three runs to take a 3-0 lead after the opening inning. With two outs, sophomore Allie Hinton (Newcomerstown, OH) would double to right center to start the rally. Senior Taylor Thomas (Bellville, OH) would single to drive in Hinton to get the Panthers on the board.

Junior Kelsey Albanese (Westerville, OH) would then triple to right center to drive in Thomas. Senior Alex Cribari (Lyndhurst, OH) would then get hit by a pitch. Cribari then stole second and on an errant throw, Albanese would score the third run of the inning.

The Wildcats would add a run in both the second and third inning to close the Panther lead to 3-2. After senior pitcher Brandis Fishel (Gahanna, OH) retired Wilmington in order in the top of the fifth, ODU would receive a two run, double from Thomas and a RBI double from Albanese to give the Black and Gold a 6-2 lead with two innings left to play.

After cutting the ODU lead to 6-5 after a two run single, followed by another single driving in a run, WU would record four consecutive walks, followed by a RBI line out to  take an 8-6 lead into the bottom of the seventh. ODU would be retired in order, falling 8-6.

Thomas finished the game with two hits, three RBI, and two runs scored. Albanese also added two hits, as she went a perfect 2-of-2 from the plate, driving in two runs and scoring once.

Fishel pitched a team high 6.2 innings, striking out the only three batters for the Panther pitching staff.

ODU also fell late to East Stroudsburg, after holding a seventh inning lead, 11-10. The Panthers trailed 7-0 early but fought all the way back to take a 10-9 lead into the bottom of the seventh, where they surrendered two runs. A full box score for the East Stroudsburg game will be provided on Wednesday.

The Panthers will have little time to dwell on the late losses as they will have three games on Wednesday starting with a game at 9 a.m. against Lock Haven.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu