Charlotte, N.C.----The Queens University of Charlotte softball team swept an NCAA Division II doubleheader over Wingate University Tuesday afternoon at Park Road Park. The Royals won the first game 8-0 in six innings and the second game 8-6. The host Royals improve to 4-8 overall, while the Bulldogs fall to 7-5 overall. Both teams will participate in the Catawba College Classic this weekend.
 
Game #1 – Queens (N.C.) 8, Wingate 0 (six innings)
 
Queens senior pitcher Chantel Dodge twirled a one-hitter and her offense provided 12 hits in the opening game. Dodge allowed a lead-off single to Wingate senior outfielder Joya Wortham (Creedmoor, N.C.) in the third inning. In the opener, Dodge struck out three and walked one.
 
In the bottom of the second inning, junior infielder Neomi Rodriguez hit a home run to give Dodge the only run she would need. In the third frame, the Royals collected three runs on five hits. Queens finished the contest with one run in the fifth inning and another three-spot in the sixth inning.

Queens had 12 hits in the opener. Rodriguez led the way with her three-for-four performance. She had two RBI. Senior outfielder Keeya Turner was also three-for-four, with two runs scored. Wingate freshman starter Miranda Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.) took the loss. In 2.2 innings, Paul allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits. She struck out one.
 
Game #2 – Queens (N.C.) 8, Wingate 6
 
Queens broke a 3-3 tie with four runs in the fifth inning, securing the lead and the victory. Wingate struck first in the nightcap, as Bulldog freshman shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) reached on an error and scored later in the inning on a groundout by senior catcher Brittany Barrineau (Monroe, N.C.).
 
The Royals tied the contest in the bottom of the first as Dodge singled and scored on a double by Rodriguez. Wingate bounced back in a big way with two runs in the top of the third inning. With two outs, freshman designated player Betsy Braswell (Rocky Mount, N.C.) and Brittany Barrineau hit back-to-back solo home runs to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead.
 
Queens scored two unearned runs in the bottom of the third frame to tie the game 3-3. In the fateful fifth inning, the Royals scored four runs on five hits. Junior utility player Megan Lathbury plated the game-winning run with an RBI double. Turner contributed a two-RBI single later in the inning.
 
Burrell, Braswell and Brittany Barrineau had two hits each for Wingate. Burrell had a two-run homer in the Wingate seventh inning. Barrineau topped the charts with her three RBI. Four players had multiple hits for Queens, as the Royals matched their 12-hit total from game one. Dodge and sophomore first baseman Kaitlyn Cheek had three hits each for Queens.
 
Both Paul and sophomore starter Ashley Brown (Murrells Inlet, S.C.) gave up four runs and six hits each for the Bulldogs. Only two of Brown’s four runs were earned. Paul took the loss in relief, falling to 5-4 overall on the season. Dodge entered in relief to pick up her fourth victory of the season. She gave up three runs on six hits in four innings of work.
 
Wingate plays five games in two days at the Catawba Classic in Salisbury. The Bulldogs face West Chester (Pa.) Friday at 2 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. match-up against Mansfield State (Pa.). On Saturday, Wingate plays Kutztown (Pa.), Lock Haven (Pa.) and Goldey-Beacom (Del.) Saturday, concluding a 17-game stretch away from the Wingate Softball Complex. The Bulldogs return home Monday, hosting Belmont Abbey College for a 1 p.m. twin bill. The Wingate University Sports Network will provide a live pay-per-view video stream.