GAME ONE BOX SCORE      GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Gaffney, S.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs combined timely hitting, solid pitching and virtually flawless defense to take an NCAA Division II softball twin bill over the host Limestone College Saints Tuesday afternoon. Wingate won the first game 4-1 and the second game 6-2.

With the two victories, Wingate improves to 5-3 overall. Limestone falls to 2-8 overall. The Bulldogs host USC Aiken Friday at 1 p.m. The Wingate University Sports Network will provide a live PPV video stream for Friday’s regional doubleheader. The LC Saints host number 20 California University of Pennsylvania Friday at 1:30 p.m.

Game #1
Wingate 4, Limestone 1

Wingate broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the top of the seventh inning to take the opener. Junior catcher Brittany Barrineau (Monroe, N.C.) started the final frame with a walk. Sophomore utility player Stephanie Simmons (Hickory, N.C.) entered the contest to run for Barrineau. Sophomore first baseman Brittany Loudermilt (Stony Point, N.C.) reached on a fielding error. Simmons moved to third on a throwing error on the same play.

Loudermilt stole second. Simmons scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch as Loudermilt moved to third. Freshman outfielder Jordyn Setzer (Taylorsville, N.C.) walked and stole second. Senior second baseman Gina Ager (Columbia, Md.) doubled to right center to plate both Loudermilt and Setzer.

Limestone took the early lead with one run in the bottom of the fifth inning. With two outs, senior catcher Hannah Mills (Richmond, Va.) tripled to left field. Saints junior second baseman Alex Aburto (Libertytown, Md.) singled up the middle to score Mills.

The Bulldogs wasted no time responding, as the South Atlantic Conference members scored a single spot in the top of the sixth inning. Freshman outfielder Ann Sautter (Scottsdale, Ariz.) started the stanza with a single. After Sautter moved to second on a groundout, she scored on an RBI single by junior shortstop Maureen Sandidge (Sarasota, Fla.).

Barrineau led the Bulldogs with two hits in two at-bats. She added a walk. Mills was two-for-four for the host Saints. Wingate senior right-hander Allison Smith (Daleville, Va.) evened her 2011 overall record at 2-2 with the complete-game victory. She gave up one run on five hits. Smith struck out seven and walked two. Limestone sophomore reliever Leah Quant (Charlotte, N.C.) took the loss. She started the fateful seventh, surrending three runs on one hit and two walks.

Game #2
Wingate 6, Limestone 2

Senior infielder Emily Chavis (Berkeley Lake, Ga.) was four-for-four with a double and one RBI as the Bulldogs collected 13 hits in the nightcap. Loudermilt was three-for-four with one RBI. Barrineau also brought the heavy lumber in game two, going two-for-four with a solo home run and three RBI.

The Bulldogs broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, freshman utility player Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) singled. Sandidge reached on a fielding error, moving Whitley to second. Both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch. One out later, Chavis laced an RBI single to center field to score Whitley. Barrineau singled through the right side to plate Sandidge.

Wingate added two insurance runs in the seventh inning. Chavis singled with one out. She scored on Barrineau’s two-run homer to left field.

The visiting Bulldogs scored single runs in the second and third innings to take an early 2-0 lead. Chavis doubled to lead off the second frame and scored on an RBI single by Loudermilt. With two outs in the third, Sandidge doubled. She moved to third on a single by freshman designated player Jessica Walsh (Columbia, S.C.) and scored on a Limestone error.

The Saints scored two runs on four hits in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. The big hit for the hosts was a two-RBI single by junior third baseman Jordan Smith (Goose Creek, S.C.). Limestone had six hits in the nightcap, with Smith leading the way with her two-for-three performance. She had two singles and two RBI.

Bulldog freshman right-hander Ashley Brown (Murrells Inlet, S.C.) earned the victory in relief, improving to 2-1 overall on the young season. In 3 1/3 innings, she allowed one hit (a single) and recorded three strikeouts. Limestone sophomore pitcher Shelby Webb (Hilliard, Fla.) pitched a complete game in a losing effort. She gave up six runs (four earned) on 13 hits. Webb fanned four and walked one.