Wingate, N.C.----- The 16th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs began their SAC title defense with a doubleheader sweep over the Pioneers of Tusculum College Saturday at the Wingate Softball Complex. The Bulldogs took game one 6-3 and won game two by a 2-0 margin. The Bulldogs (25-3) have won 22 in a row over Tusculum and start South Atlantic Conference play 2-0.The Pioneers (5-9) fall to 0-2 in league play.

"It's always exciting to start conference play," said Wingate head coach Michelle Caddigan. "Even though it wasn't perfect, we did a lot of great things today. We are happy to get these wins under our belt and look forward to the rest of the conference schedule."

Game #1: Wingate 6, Tusculum 3:       BOX SCORE

The Pioneers scored all of their offense on the day in the top of the first inning. With runners on first and second and two outs, sophomore designated player Phlyscia Powell (Loxahatchee, Fla.) hit a 2-2 pitch from Wingate sophomore Brittany Blankenship (Midlothian, Va.) over the right field wall to give the visitors an early 3-0 lead. The deficit was the largest Wingate has faced this season.

The 'Dogs got on the board in the second, thanks to clutch, two-out hitting. Senior third baseman Leyila Myers (Marietta, Ga.) singled through the right side then later advanced to third after a wild pitch and passed ball. Freshman first baseman Brittany Loudermilt (Stoney Point, N.C.) followed with a RBI single to shallow center to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Blankenship shut down TC in the top of the third and WIngate responded by taking the lead for good in the bottom half of the inning. After the Bulldogs plated a run on a wild pitch by Tusculum senior Holli Cadenhead (Van Vleck, Texas), sophomore outfielder Jessica Bowen (Matthews, N.C.) tied the game with a RBI double to left field. Junior left fielder Emily Chavis (Berkeley Lake, Ga.) delivered a two-out RBI single up the middle to score Bowen and give Wingate a 4-3 lead after three innings.

The 'Dogs would add two insurance runs in the fifth to complete the game one scoring. Senior shortstop Debra Grijalva (San Jose, Calif.) and Chavis added RBI singles, both coming with two outs in the frame.

Blankenship improved to 13-2 on the season, allowing only one hit after the first inning to get the complete game win. The former Midlothian High star struck out six while walking one. Cadenhead allowed six runs (one earned) and took the loss for the Pioneers to fall to 4-4 on the season.

Game #2: Wingate 2, Tusculum 0:       BOX SCORE

Wingate junior pitcher Allison Smith (Daleville, Va.) dominated the Pioneer hitters in game two, striking out 10 while walking none in the complete game victory. Sophomore outfielder Joya Wortham (Creedmoor, N.C.) and Chavis added two hits apiece for Wingate.

The Bulldog offense scored both runs in the third frame. Senior outfielder LaRonda McClain (Kings Mountain, N.C.) started the inning by reaching on an error. After a sacrifice bunt, sophomore catcher Brittany Barrineau (Monroe, N.C.) ripped the Erin Searcy (Coolidge, Ga.) offering into right center to plate McClain and give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Chavis added her third two-out RBI of the day, coming on a double to score Barrineau.

Smith moved to 12-1 on the year and picked up her 25th career win as a Bulldog. She allowed one infield single and hit a batter, while striking out at least one Pionerr in every inning but the fourth. At home this season, Smith is 7-0 with a 0.16 ERA and six shutouts. Searcy went the distance, allowing two unearned runs to fall to 2-4 on the season.

Wingate will have three days off before they host the 20th-ranked Bears of Lenior-Rhyne in a SAC showdown Wednesday at 2 p.m. Wingate has beaten LRU four straight times, including an 8-0 victory in the SAC tournament last season. Tusculum will have a quick turnaround, playing Sunday at 1 p.m. against Montreat.

(Wingate University Director of Broadcasting Ryan Brown wrote this article. Brown is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Broadcast Journalism.)