Game One Box Score Game Two Box Score
Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University junior right-hander Allison Smith (Daleville, Va.) tossed a no-hitter in the nightcap Thursday, leading the Bulldog softball team to an NCAA Division II Southeast Region doubleheader sweep over Augusta State University at the WU Softball Complex. The Bulldogs won the first game 4-3 and the second game 3-0.
The twin bill was the season opener for both teams. Wingate (2-0 overall) entertains St. Andrews Presbyterian College Saturday at 1 p.m. Augusta State (0-2 overall) continues its tour of the South Atlantic Conference Friday, visiting Lenoir-Rhyne University for a 2 p.m. double dip.
Game #1
Wingate 4, Augusta State 3
The Bulldogs broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run fourth inning to take the victory in the opener. Wingate scored three runs on four hits and benefitted from one ASU error in the pivotal fourth frame. Three players contributed RBI.
Senior third baseman Leyila Myers (Marietta, Ga.) doubled down the left-field line to start the inning. Freshman utility player Kasey Pendley (Marion, N.C.) entered to run for Myers. Junior designated player Emily Chavis (Berkeley Lake, Ga.) doubled to right center to score Pendley.
Sophomore catcher Brittany Barrineau (Monroe, N.C.) doubled to left center to plate Chavis. Junior pitcher Brittany Blankenship (Midlothian, Va.) doubled down the right-field line to score Barrineau. Blankenship’s hit chased ASU senior hurler Kimberly Kennedy (Rutledge, Ga.) and concluded the Bulldog scoring in the opener.
Wingate struck first with a single spot in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman right fielder Stephanie Simmons (Hickory, N.C.) contributed an RBI single to score Myers, who had singled and moved to third on two Kennedy walks.
The Augusta State Jaguars tied the game with an unearned run in the top of the third inning. With one out, ASU senior left fielder Leann Barber (Wrightsville, Ga.) reached on an error. She moved to second on a groundout and scored on an RBI single by senior catcher Alysha Krier (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho).
The Peach Belt Conference visitors scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, Barber was hit by a pitch. Freshman pitcher Laura Brown (Martinez, Ga.) contributed an RBI double to score Barber. One out later, Brown scored on a Wingate error.
Myers and Chavis had two hits each for the Bulldogs in game one. Five Jaguars had one hit each. Blankenship (1-0 overall) was the victor, notching a complete game. In seven innings, she allowed three runs (one earned) on five hits. She struck out six and walked two. Kennedy took the loss to fall to 0-1 overall. In three-plus innings, she gave up four earned runs on six hits. She recorded three strikeouts and two walks.
Game #2
Wingate 3, Augusta State 0
Smith’s no-hitter included seven strikeouts against three walks. Only one Jaguar made it past second base on the day; ASU never had more than one player on base. Smith retired the final 10 hitters in the game.
Junior infielder Gina Ager (Columbia, Md.) provided the offense for the Bulldogs in game two, going two-for-three with two doubles and all three RBI. Barrineau was two-for-two with a run scored and a sacrifice bunt for the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs struck first in the fourth inning. Chavis reached on a throwing error with two outs, followed by a single from Barrineau. Ager doubled to right center field to plate both runs.
The sixth inning started with a Chavis walk. Ager came up two hitters later and drove the first pitch to the centerfield fence to plate the third and final run of the game.
Smith’s first no-hitter as a Bulldog comes in her 20th career start, as she improves to 1-0 overall on the season. Augusta State’s Sara DeMuth (Plant City, Fla.) allowed three runs (one earned) in six innings of work, while striking out seven and walking four. DeMuth falls to 0-1 overall.
(Wingate University assistant sports information director Hugh Patton wrote this article. Patton is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies.)
