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Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs used a five-run third inning to overcome an early two-run deficit en route to a 9-3 win in Tuesday’s season opener over Erskine College. The Flying Fleet took the second game 6-3 to earn a split. Both teams are 1-1 on the season.
 
Game One: Wingate 9, Erskine 3
 
Freshman shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) was three-for-four with a triple and three RBI to lead the Wingate attack. Sophomore infielder Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) was also three-for-four with an RBI and two runs scored, while freshman designated player Betsy Braswell (Rocky Mount, N.C.) went two-for-three with an RBI.
 
Sophomore catcher Larissa Shannon (Newberry, S.C.) was two-for-three with a homer and two runs score to lead the Erskine attack. Freshman infielder Ericka McCarson (Travelers Rest, S.C.) also homered for the Flying Fleet.
 
Erskine wasted no time getting on the board, with McCarson leading off the game with a solo homer to right. An RBI double from sophomore infielder Bailey Thornton (Pauline, S.C.) later in the inning made it 2-0.
 
Wingate answered with two runs in the second to tie it. Junior first baseman Brittany Loudermilt (Stony Point, N.C.) led off the inning with a single, then scored on an RBI single from freshman infielder Brittany Owens (Greenville, N.C.). An RBI single from Burrell plated Whitley to make it 2-2.
 
The Flying Fleet regained the lead in the third when Shannon led off the inning with a homer to right, making it 3-2.
 
Wingate had the emphatic answer in the bottom of the inning, scoring five times to take a four-run lead. Whitley started it with an RBI single, while senior catcher Brittany Barrineau (Monroe, N.C.) scored the second run on a wild pitch. A sacrifice fly from freshman pitcher Miranda Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.) made it 5-3. Burrell followed with a two-run triple to right, making it 7-3.
 
The ‘Dogs added two more insurance runs in the sixth. Braswell ripped a double to left center to plate Burrell. Barrineau followed with an RBI double to right center to make it 9-3.
 
Sophomore right-hander Ashley Brown (Murrells Inlet, S.C.) got the win in relief. She went four innings without allowing a run, striking out five while surrendering just two hits. Sophomore right-hander Kelsey Spurrier (Charlotte, N.C.) took the loss, allowing nine runs (five earned) on 11 hits in six innings of work. She struck out five and walked two.
 
Game Two: Erskine 6, Wingate 3
 
Shannon and Thornton each drove in two runs to lead Erskine’s offense. Freshman catcher Ashlyn Hicks (Cayce, S.C.) had a hit, RBI and run scored for the Flying Fleet.
 
Five different Bulldogs had two hits in the second game. Whitley went two-for-three with an RBI, while Burrell had a hit, walk and run scored for the Bulldogs.
 
The Flying Fleet got out to another quick start, plating a run in the first via an RBI double from Shannon.
 
The Bulldogs answered with two runs in the third to take the lead. Wingate loaded the bases for Barrineau, who drove home the first run with an RBI fielder’s choice. An RBI single from Whitley put the Bulldogs on top 2-1.
 
Erskine had the answer in the fourth, taking a 3-2 lead on a two-run homer from Thornton. The Flying Fleet added to the lead in the fifth. A bases-loaded walk to Shannon made it a two-run game, while an RBI single from junior outfielder Morgan Purcell (Duncan, S.C.) made it 5-2.
 
Wingate made it a two-run game in the sixth on a sacrifice fly from Paul. Erskine pushed the lead back to three in the seventh on an RBI single from Hicks.
 
Trailing by three in the seventh, the Bulldogs started the frame with a pair of hits. Erskine reliever Katherine Mulzer (Donalds, S.C.) retired the next three hitters to notch the save.
 
Sophomore right-hander Heather Richey (Abbeville, S.C.) got the win, allowing two runs on seven hits in four innings of work, striking out three. Brown took the loss, allowing five runs on five hits in four innings of work, striking out four.
 
The Bulldogs return to action Saturday, traveling to Coker for a 1 p.m. start. Erskine will host Carson-Newman Saturday at 1 p.m.