GAME ONE BOX SCORE          GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Due West, S.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs allowed only six hits Tuesday afternoon, splitting a doubleheader in NCAA Division II softball action at Erskine College. Senior right-hander Allison Smith (Daleville, Va.) tossed a five-hit shutout in Wingate’s 7-0 game one victory, while freshman Ashley Brown (Murrells Inlet, S.C.) allowed only one hit in Erskine’s 1-0 win in the second game. The Bulldogs are now 9-5 overall, while the Flying Fleet move to 7-5-1.

Game #1: Wingate 7, Erskine 0

Senior infielder Gina Ager (Columbia, Md.) and junior shortstop Maureen Sandidge (Venice, Fla.) each had a double, two RBI and a run scored to lead the Wingate offense. Junior catcher Brittany Barrineau (Monroe, N.C.) and sophomore outfielder Kasey Pendley (Marion, N.C.) had two hits and an RBI each.

The ‘Dogs got on the board first in the second, when freshman outfielder Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) scored on an RBI single from Pendley. Wingate took advantage of three Erskine errors in the third, scoring when sophomore outfielder Stephanie Simmons (Hickory, N.C.) reached on an error to make it 2-0.

The Bulldogs did the rest of their damage in the fifth, plating five runs. Ager got it started with a two-run double to push the lead to four. Sandidge added a two-run double to make it 6-0, while an RBI double from Barrineau plated Sandidge to push the lead to seven.

That would be plenty for Smith, who improves to 5-2 on the year. The preseason All-SAC selection allowed five hits (all singles) in seven innings of work, striking out a season-high nine and walking only one. Smith lowered her season ERA to 0.89, while notching her sixth complete game of the year. Sophomore Kelsey Spurrier (Charlotte, N.C.) took the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits in five innings of work.

Game #2: Erskine 1, Wingate 0

Barrineau added two more hits in the second game to lead the Wingate attack. Wingate out-hit Erskine 5-1 in the second game, but the Bulldogs left nine runners on base.

Freshman outfielder Whitney Brown (West Columbia, S.C.) had the lone hit and run for the Flying Fleet, while senior infielder Lindsey LaPrad (Summerville, S.C.) drove home the run.

The Bulldogs got two on in the first inning, via back-to-back two-out singles, but were unable to plate a run.

The Flying Fleet scored the game’s only run in the third, when Brown reached on a one-out single, then scored when LaPrad reached on an error.

The Bulldogs got their first two runners on in the fourth, via a Barrineau single followed by an error, but Erskine’s Heather Richey (Abbeville, S.C.) got the next three hitters out via two strikeouts and a flyout. Wingate had one final chance in the seventh, loading the bases with one out. Richey got out of the jam by inducing consecutive groundouts to end the game.

Richey got the win, allowing five hits while striking out four. Brown took the tough loss, allowing one unearned run on one hit in six innings of work, striking out three and not walking a batter, falling to 2-2 on the year.

The Bulldogs return to action this weekend, playing five games in the Mid South Classic. Wingate plays three games on Saturday, starting at 11 a.m. against Armstrong Atlantic State. The ‘Dogs take on third-ranked North Georgia at 5 p.m. on Saturday, while capping the day’s action at 7 p.m. against Georgia College. The Flying Fleet travel to Charlotte Thursday, taking on Queens at 3:30 p.m.