Game One Box Score       Game Two Box Score

Charlotte, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs swept a doubleheader over the Royals of Queens University of Charlotte in NCAA Division II softball action Wednesday afternoon. The Bulldogs won game one 3-1, then prevailed 14-6 in five innings in game two to improve to 5-1 overall. The Royals fall to 1-6 on the year.

Game One: Wingate 3, Queens 1

Junior right-hander Brittany Blankenship (Midlothian, Va.) went the distance for the Bulldogs, allowing only one run as the Bulldogs opened the afternoon with a 3-1 win. Senior outfielder LaRonda McClain (Kings Mountain, N.C.) drove in two runs for the Bulldogs.

Wingate got on the board in the second, loading the bases via two walks and a single from junior outfielder Jessica McCraw (Waxhaw, N.C.). McClain reached on a fielder’s choice, while two runs scored on a Queens error on the play.

The Royals cut the lead in half in the third on a solo homer from sophomore pitcher Chantel Dodge (Shalimar, Fla.).

The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the sixth when freshman pinch runner Kasey Pendley (Marion, N.C.) went to second on a bunt, stole third, then scored on an RBI groundout from freshman first baseman Brittany Loudermilt (Stony Point, N.C.).

The two-run lead would be enough for Blankenship, who improves to 2-1 on the year. She allowed one run on five hits in seven innings while striking out seven and not walking a batter. The victory is the 40th win in Blankenship’s Wingate career. Junior Brandy Jester (Georgetown, Del.) took the loss. She allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in seven innings of work, striking out five and walking five. She falls to 1-3 on the year.

Game Two: Wingate 14, Mars Hill 6 (Five innings)

Junior infielder Gina Ager (Columbia, Md.) was four-for-four with a double, homer and four RBI while sophomore catcher Brittany Barrineau (Monroe, N.C.) had a homer and four RBI. The Bulldogs pounded out 19 hits in the second game.

Queens jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on a three-run double from junior infielder Alisha Waldrop (McDonough, Ga.).

Wingate answered in the second on Ager’s two-run homer. The Bulldogs struck for three more runs in the third on a three-run homer from junior designated player Emily Chavis (Berkeley Lake, Ga.), giving Wingate a 5-3 lead.

The Bulldogs opened up the lead in the fourth, plating seven runs. Barrineau got it started with a solo homer to lead off the inning. Loudermilt added a two-run single to make it 8-3. A hit batsman with the bases loaded made it 9-3. Barrineau put Wingate on top by nine with a three-run double down the left field line.

Queens scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth, highlighted by a two-run homer from Jester to make it 12-6. The Bulldogs got two more runs in the fifth to end the game. Chavis and Loudermilt singled to start the inning. Ager finished the game with a two-run double.

Junior right-hander Allison Smith (Daleville, Va.) got the win, improving to 3-0 on the year. She allowed six runs on eight hits in five innings of work while striking out five. Dodge took the loss, allowing 14 runs (13 earned) on 19 hits in five innings.

Wingate returns to action Friday, hosting Erskine College at 2 p.m. The Royals host UNC Pembroke Thursday at 5 p.m. 

(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.)