News Release

Two Week Nonconference Schedule in Florida, Tough In-Region Matchups Highlight the 2013 Wilmington University Softball Schedule; Skye Boris Joins 2013 Squad

First year head coach Lauren Rizzo will lead the Wilmington University softball program in 2013, playing four teams that were mentioned in the final 2012 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division II  Top 25 Poll, as well as eight teams earning final regional rankings, as the team unveils its 2013 schedule.

For the second year in a row, the Wildcats will nearly play its entire nonconference schedule in a two week stretch in Clermont, Fla. After started the season on February 25 and continuing at the National Training Center in Clermont, Fla. for 20 total games, the Wildcats return to New Castle, Del. to begin their Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference schedule.

The first week in Florida kicks off with games against out of division foes with a doubleheader against NAIA Davenport and matchups against NCAA Division III Augustana (Ill.) and Immaculata. The first NCAA Division II contest for the Wildcats comes as a doubleheader on February 27 against Florida Southern who earned enough votes to be ranked No. 18 in the final 2012 NFCA Poll.

March starts with a contest against No. 23 West Virginia Wesleyan, who was also voted third in the final Atlantic Region poll. During the second week of the team’s stay in Clermont, the Wildcats face Dowling, Gannon and Southern Connecticut State who all were ranked in their respective regions. Dowling earned a final bid in the No. 9 slot in the East while Gannon earned the No. 8 seed in the Atlantic. Southern Connecticut State was not only the No. 1 team in the East Region, but also the No. 6 ranked team in the final NFCA Rankings. Central Connecticut State went 1-2 at the 2012 NCAA Division II World Series.

The Wildcats will also play Felician (nonconference), Cedarville, Stonehill, Saint Anselm, Assumption, Southern New Hampshire, Saint Rose, Bridgeport , and Mercy while down in Clermont, Fla., for spring break. Over half of the games being played in Florida rank as regional opponents for the Wildcats, helping their strength of schedule when it comes to postseason play.

After a doubleheader at Bowie State on March 14 as their first true road contest, the Wildcats finally open the 2013 home slate on March 16. The home opener also signifies the CACC opener as the Wildcats Caldwell for their first 2013 contest at Asbury Field. The following week, Wilmington also hosts Dominican, the 2012 CACC Regular season and Tournament Champions, on March 22.

Other home conference doubleheaders include Goldey-Beacom, Philadelphia, Chestnut Hill, Georgian Court, and Nyack throughout the season. The Wildcats will take to the road in the CACC to face Felician, Holy Family, USciences, Bloomfield, Post and Concordia. They will look to improve upon a 26-25 overall record while also besting their program record of 18 CACC victories from a season year, earning the fourth seed with an 18-8 conference resume.

Rizzo would also like to announce the signing of a midyear transfer who will look to help the Wildcats go deeper into the CACC Tournament than in 2012. Skye Boris joins the 2013 squad after playing three seasons at NCAA Division I Delaware State.

The Magnolia, Del., native appeared in 41 games as a junior at Delaware State, starting 39 behind the plate. She finished the season with a .218 batting average, hitting four doubles, a pair of triples, and a home run on the year. She threw out two runners against Virginia to help seal the first ever Hornet victory over an ACC school.

Prior to playing at Delaware State, Boris was a member of the Caesar Rodney varsity squad for all four year. She was named first team All-State and the team MVP as a catcher as a senior. She hit .527 and led the team in double and RBIs in 2009, earning First Team All-Henlopen Conference honors for the second time.

Boris will help lead the Wildcats back to the CACC Tournament in 2013. The eight team tournament will once again be held at Georgian Court in Lakewood, N.J., and will begin on May 2 with a champion being crowned on May 4.

To view the entire 2013 Wilmington University schedule, click here.

Published: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 - Newark, Del.