The University of Delaware softball team clinched a top-four seed in the upcoming Conference USA Tournament and extended its home winning streak to 12 games after defeating Western Kentucky University, 4-2, on Friday, May 1. The victory marks the third consecutive season that Delaware has reached at least 30 wins, a first in program history.
This achievement highlights the team’s consistency and improvement over recent years. With one more win and a Liberty loss to Kennesaw State tomorrow, Delaware could secure the No. 2 seed for the tournament.
Key contributors included Sydney Shaffer, who hit a solo home run and walked; Bridget Chapman, who delivered a two-run double and scored; Allie Nankivell with an RBI single; and Caylin Blazys who went 1-for-3 with a run scored. Kylie Wilkerson earned the win by pitching 6.2 innings in relief without allowing any runs or walks.
WKU scored both of its runs in the first inning before Delaware responded with three runs in the second inning to take control of the game. An insurance run came from Shaffer’s home run in the fifth inning. Wilkerson managed to strand runners throughout her outing and closed out the game by retiring three straight batters after WKU put the tying run at bat to start the seventh inning.
According to program notes, this is only the third time Delaware has achieved back-to-back seasons with at least 30 wins—previously occurring in pairs during 2015–2016 and again in 1999–2000—and they have now tied their record for most home wins (21) set back in 2000. The current home win streak is also their second longest ever behind only a stretch of fourteen straight victories at home set that same year.
Senior players Katie Scheivert, Sydney Shaffer, and Kristen Luzon have become part of Delaware’s winningest senior class with their collective total reaching a new high of 136 victories together—a record previously held by Chloe Blantz and Graceyn Frost. Additionally, Shaffer’s career total now stands at forty home runs as she approaches Anna Steinmetz’s all-time mark of forty-four for Delaware.
Looking ahead, Delaware will face WKU again tomorrow afternoon followed by Senior Day celebrations.
