The University of Delaware softball team won its eighth straight game after defeating Kennesaw State, 8-0 in five innings, on April 17. The victory brings Delaware’s season record to 24-19 and improves their conference mark to 12-7 in Conference USA play.
The team’s recent performance highlights a strong stretch, with Delaware now having won 12 of its last 14 games. Maddie Diamond led the offense by going two-for-three at the plate, hitting a three-run home run and collecting four runs batted in. Sydney Shaffer also contributed by going two-for-three with two RBIs.
Pitcher Josie Crossman threw all five innings for Delaware, allowing only three hits and no runs while walking one batter. In the fourth inning, Delaware scored four runs including a sacrifice fly from Gianna Costaro and Diamond’s home run following a lengthy at-bat. The Blue Hens added more runs in the fifth inning through singles from Shaffer and an RBI double from Diamond.
According to game notes released by the team, this marks Delaware’s sixth run-rule win of the season and third within conference play. Crossman has been credited as winning pitcher in six such games during her career. The six run-rule wins this year tie for second most in program history for a single season.
Other individual milestones included Diamond tying her career high for RBIs in a game and moving up on several freshman program records for home runs and RBIs. Nankivell extended her on-base streak to 22 games while stealing her fifteenth base of the year—placing fourth among freshmen at Delaware.
Looking ahead, Delaware is scheduled to play a doubleheader tomorrow due to weather-related schedule changes. Ticket information was also provided: individual tickets will be $10 per game ($5 for youth), with discounted season packages available later this winter.
