By Andy Walter

NEW CASTLE — Lexi Moore knew things weren’t looking great at the time.

Coming off the program’s first NCAA Division II World Series appearance, Wilmington University’s softball team lost 10 of its first 17 games.

But Moore, the Wildcats’ senior shortstop from Smyrna, told coach Mike Shehorn not to give up hope.

“I was like, I know we’re not performing like we can, but we will get back to the World Series,” she said. “I texted him last night and I said, ‘I told you we were going to get back there. You just had to trust us.’”

Indeed, Wilmington earned a second-straight trip to the Division II World Series with an impressive 12-0 win over Adelphi in the East Super Regional final on Wednesday afternoon.

The Wildcats (45-14) didn’t allow a run in winning all five of their regional contests.

By Friday, Wilmington was heading to Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, Fla. The eight-team, double-elimination tournament is slated to start there on Sunday.

There’s a number of Downstate people who have helped Wilmington be one of only two squads from last year’s World Series to make the return trip.

Outfielder Sara Miller, another former Smyrna High standout, said it was emotional knowing her playing career could have ended in the regional. There are eight seniors on the Wildcats’ roster.

“I think we always knew it was a possibility,” said Miller. “But the reality of going to the World Series back-to-back is super difficult. Especially with having eight seniors, it’s just a relief to have that happy ending with one another.

“I’d say we definitely tried not to think about it but it was definitely always in the back of our heads. We just tried to stay positive and enjoy every moment and take one pitch, one inning and one game at a time.”

Wildcats’ coach Mike Shehorn and his daughter, Skye Boris, the Caesar Rodney High coach, poses with Wilmington’s regional championship trophy. …

Downstate ties

With senior Julia Thuer transferring from Monmouth this season and Gigi Duca a freshman, Smyrna has four players on Wilmington’s roster. They’re joined by junior Jess Reed from Lake Forest.

Shehorn takes pride in the fact that there are 12 players from Delaware on the squad. Shehorn is the former Caesar Rodney High coach and Polytech grad who still lives in Magnolia.

Assistant coach James Brittingham also coached with Shehorn at CR.

“It’s really cool to see,” said Shehorn. “I’ve always felt like Delaware has had some really, really good players. Being a small state, a lot of times the top players want to leave and go venture somewhere else.

“Fortunately for us, we’ve been able to keep some of them in-state. Some of them have left, went to other schools, and eventually came back to us. One of the things we’ve been saying is, in the past, we used to be just another school.

Now we’re becoming a destination for a lot of kids in our area, which is special.”

There are 10 Wilmington players who started their careers at other colleges.

Moore, who had a standout freshman season at Delaware, has been playing softball since she was 5. The 22-year-old couldn’t imagine a better finish to her playing career.

Moore has played in 175 games for Wilmington, batted .408, scored 150 runs and stolen 115 bases.

“I wouldn’t want to end my career anywhere else than like we did, on our home field, and then taking my career to an end at the World Series,” she said. “It’s unbelievable.

“I just tried to have my emotions stay calm. I didn’t want to get too far ahead of myself and think too much. It’s just a game. But once we scored six runs in the first inning. ... I kind of got a little excited. Inning after inning we just kept dominating. I was like, ‘Alright guys, this is getting real.’”

Miller has made her share of big contributions, too. In 208 career games, she’s batting .332 with 23 home runs, 158 RBI and 136 runs scored.

Knowing this is the end of her career isn’t always easy for Miller. Still, she says the players have tried to enjoy whatever happens next.

Miller says the Wildcats have been able to stay relaxed during the numerous rain delays they’ve faced, regularly belting out their rendition of ‘We are young,’ when they leave the locker room.

“I think the thing that made our team stand out from the rest was we just truly tried to take every moment and run with it,” said Miller. “The energy we had with one another. I think, is what made us so competitive in the post-season.

“We never let the rain get to us and we were never quiet in the dugout or quiet in the locker room. We always had energy. We were singing, we were dancing. I truly think that helped us stay locked in and focused to win these games.”

Wilmington is one of only two teams to return to the NCAA Division II World Series after playing in it last spring. WILMINGTON UNIVERSITY PHOTO

A second chance

The one thing that Wilmington did not accomplish last year was winning a game in the World Series. The Wildcats went 0-2 in the tournament, dropping a tough 3-2 decision to No. 8 Cal State-San Marcos in their finale.

Wilmington’s players believe they’re better prepared to compete this second time around.

“I think last year, every single aspect of the World Series was new to us,” said Miller. “I mean you could tell we didn’t play our game. I just think we’re better equipped this year. We’re more comfortable.

“I think we do have definitely some opportunities to win some games. Especially for the seniors, just to see how we can end it together in the World Series is everything we’ve ever wanted.”

The Wildcats were ranked No. 17 nationally in the latest coaches poll. They go into the World Series on a seven-game winning streak and with a 38-4 record since March 16.

“Everybody just thinks, ‘Oh, we’re a team from Delaware,’” said Moore. “Going down there, we know what the stage is going to be like. I think just take it one step, one pitch, one inning, one out at a time.

“There’s been so many upsets (nationally) that nothing is guaranteed down there. Going down there, it’s completely open and we’re just going to give it everything we have.”