Game One Box Score       Game Two Box Score

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University junior designated player Emily Chavis (Berkeley Lake, Ga.) belted a homer in each game as the Bulldogs swept a doubleheader over the Flying Fleet of Erskine in NCAA Division II softball action Friday afternoon. Wingate won by scores of 7-1 and 9-0 (five innings) to improve to 7-1 overall. Erskine falls to 3-6 on the year.

Game One: Wingate 7, Erskine 1

Chavis and senior shortstop Debra Grijalva (San Jose, Calif.) drove in two runs each, while junior right-hander Brittany Blankenship (Midlothian, Va.) allowed one run on only four hits. At the top of the order, senior center fielder LaRonda McClain (Kings Mountain, Ga.) and junior outfielder Jessica McCraw (Waxhaw, N.C.) scored two runs each.

The Bulldogs wasted no time getting on the board, plating four runs in the bottom of the first. Grijalva got it started with a sacrifice fly to drive in McClain. McCraw then scored on a wild pitch. Chavis followed with a homer to left center to make it 4-0.

Wingate added another run in the third when Grijalva led off with a triple, then scored on an RBI single from freshman first baseman Brittany Loudermilt (Stony Point, N.C.).

The Flying Fleet got on the board in the fourth, when senior outfielder Kelly Davis (Weaverville, N.C.) scored on an RBI single from senior first baseman Courtney Davis (Asheville, N.C.) to make it 5-1.

The Bulldogs answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. McClain scored the first run on an error to make it 6-1. Grijalva lined a double to right field to drive home McCraw for a six-run lead.

Blankenship went the distance, improving to 3-1 on the year. She struck out eight and walked only one on the afternoon. Freshman Kelsey Spurrier (Charlotte, N.C.) took the loss for Erskine. She allowed seven runs (one earned) on seven hits in 3.2 innings, falling to 2-2 on the year.

Game Two: Wingate 9, Erskine 0 (5 innings)

Sophomore catcher Brittany Barrineau (Monroe, N.C.) blasted a grand slam, while Chavis and Loudermilt also homered to lead the Bulldogs to a nine-run victory.

Wingate got a run in the first, with McClain scoring on an RBI single from Grijalva.

Chavis led off the second inning with her third homer of the year. The Bulldogs then loaded the bases for Barrineau in the second, who cleared the bases with her third homer of the season to make it 6-0.

Wingate got two more runs in the third when Loudermilt lined her first homer of the year down the left field line to make it 8-0.

The Bulldogs added one more run in the fourth when Grijalva scored on an RBI groundout from Loudermilt.

Junior right-hander Allison Smith (Daleville, Va.) got the win, improving to 4-0 on the year. She allowed one infield single in five innings while striking out three and walking three. Senior Lauren Gunter (Batesburg, S.C.) took the loss for Erskine, falling to 1-1. She gave up eight runs (three earned) on seven hits in 2.1 innings of work.

The Bulldogs return to action Saturday, traveling to Belmont Abbey for a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. Wingate returns home Sunday, hosting St. Andrews at 1 p.m. The Wingate Sports Network will provide a live video broadcast of Sunday’s doubleheader. The Flying Fleet host Carson-Newman Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.