Mars Hill, N.C.----The 19th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs split a doubleheader with the Lions of Mars Hill College in South Atlantic Conference softball action Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs won game one 4-3, then fell 1-0 in game two to move to 26-6 overall and 3-3 in the SAC. Mars Hill is now 19-8 overall and 2-4 in the SAC.
Game #1
#19 Wingate 4, Mars Hill 3 BOX SCORE
Junior outfielder
Emily Chavis (Berkeley Lake, Ga.) was two-for-three with a homer and two RBI, while senior shortstop
Debra Grijalva (San Jose, Calif.) went two-for-three with a double, RBI and a run scored for the Bulldogs. Senior infielder
Leyila Myers (Marietta, Ga.) added a pair of doubles for Wingate.
The Bulldogs got off to a quick start, plating three runs in the first inning. Grijalva drove home the first run on an RBI double to left. Chavis followed with her seventh homer of the year, a two-run shot to left center to make it 3-0.
The Lions scored a pair of runs in the fourth to cut Wingate’s lead to one. Mars Hill loaded the bases to start the inning with a walk and a pair of hit batsmen. The first run scored on a double play, while junior catcher
Jade Bullins (Danbury, N.C.) followed with an RBI single to make it 3-2.
The Bulldogs added an insurance run in the top of the seventh, when junior infielder
Gina Ager (Columbia, Md.) scored on an RBI single from sophomore catcher
Brittany Barrineau (Monroe, N.C.) to make it 4-2.
The Lions scored one run in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single from senior infielder
Rebekah Huff (Mars Hill, N.C.). She would go to second on a sacrifice, but junior right-hander
Brittany Blankenship (Midlothian, Va.) retired the final two batters via a groundout and popout to secure the win.
Blankenship got the win, improving to 14-3 on the year. She allowed three runs on seven hits in seven innings of work, while striking out two. Junior right-hander
Tara West (Urbana, Ohio) took the loss, allowing four runs on eight hits to fall to 10-4 on the year.
Game #2
Mars Hill 1, #19 Wingate 0 BOX SCORE
Four different Bulldogs had a hit in game two. Sophomore outfielder
Natalie Haithcox (Asheboro, N.C.) provided the offense for Mars Hill, going one-for-three with a homer.
The game was scoreless until the sixth, when Haithcox hit a two-out, solo homer to make it 1-0.
The Bulldogs had a chance in the seventh, getting runners on second and third with two outs. But a line drive from senior outfielder
LaRonda McClain (Kings Mountain, N.C) was caught in right field for the game’s final out.
Senior right-hander
Tiffany Farthing (Kure Beach, N.C.) got the win, improving to 8-3 on the year. She went the distance, allowing only four hits while striking out nine. Junior right-hander
Allison Smith (Daleville, Va.) took the loss, falling to 12-3 on the season. She allowed one run on four hits while striking out seven.
Wingate returns to action Wednesday, March 31, traveling to Catawba for a 2 p.m. start. Mars Hill is in action Tuesday, traveling to Lenoir-Rhyne for a 1 p.m. start.