Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs split a doubleheader with Newberry College in South Atlantic Conference softball action Wednesday afternoon. Newberry won the first game 3-1, while the Bulldogs took game two 3-0. Wingate moves to 32-12 overall and 7-7 in the SAC. The scarlet-and-gray move to 27-11 on the season and 7-7 in the conference. The Bulldogs celebrated Senior Day, honoring four seniors in a ceremony before the game. The four seniors honored were Kelsey Emig (Glenmoore, Pa.), Debra Grijalva (San Jose, Calif.), LaRonda McClain (Kings Mountain, N.C.) and Leyila Myers (Marietta, Ga.).

Game #1: Newberry 3, Wingate 1

Junior outfielder Aissa Gatewood (N. Charleston, S.C.) went two-for-three with two RBI to spark the Newberry offense. Junior pinch-hitter Chelsie Hilbourn (Loris, S.C.) was one-for-one with a run scored. Senior right-hander Amanda Huckestein (Port Charlotte, Fla.) held the Bulldogs to four hits while striking out seven.

Junior outfielder Emily Chavis (Berkeley Lake, Ga.) went two-for-three with a double and an RBI to lead the Wingate offense. Grijalva was one-for-two with a double and a run scored.

Newberry got on the board in the fifth, scoring a pair of runs. The first run came around to score on a Wingate error. The scarlet-and-gray took a 2-0 lead on an RBI single from Gatewood.

Newberry grabbed a 3-0 lead in the sixth when Hilbourn stole third, then scored on another RBI single from Gatewood.

Wingate got on the board in the sixth, with Grijalva lining a double to right center, then scoring on an RBI double from Chavis to make it 3-1.

Huckestein got the win, improving to 17-6 on the year. She allowed one run in seven innings of work while striking out seven and walking two. Junior right-hander Brittany Blankenship (Midlothian, Va.) took the loss, falling to 17-7. She allowed two earned runs on six hits in seven innings of work, while striking out eight.

Game #2: Wingate 3, Newberry 0

Chavis was one-for-three with an RBI and a run scored, while Myers and freshman first baseman Brittany Loudermilt (Stony Point, N.C.) each went one-for-two with an RBI. Junior right-hander Allison Smith (Daleville, Va.) allowed only four Newberry hits on the afternoon to notch the shutout.

Wingate took the lead in the second, when sophomore catcher Brittany Barrineau (Monroe, N.C.) led off the inning with a walk, then scored on an RBI single from Loudermilt.

The Bulldogs added a pair of insurance runs in the fifth. McClain scored on an RBI single from Chavis to make it 2-0. Myers lined a single to left center to drive home Chavis and put Wingate on top by three.

That would be plenty for Smith, who improves to 15-5 on the year. She struck out seven while walking only two, collecting her seventh shutout of the year. Sophomore right-hander Felicia Taylor (Venice, Fla.) took the loss, falling to 5-3 on the season. She allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits in six innings of work, while striking out two.

The Bulldogs return to action Saturday, traveling to Carson-Newman for a doubleheader, with game one starting at 1 p.m. Newberry hosts Tusculum Saturday at 2 p.m.