Box Score Savannah, Ga.----Wingate University junior infielder Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) drove in a career-high four runs to lead an offensive explosion for the Bulldogs in a 14-0 win over Queens (N.C.) in five innings. The Bulldogs and Royals played one game as part of the rain-shortened Armstrong Invitational. The last time Wingate (11-4-1) posted 14 runs in a game was coincidentally against the Royals (6-8) back on February 17, 2010.

“Today, the girls came out fired up and ready to swing the bats like the Bulldogs know how,” Wingate head coach Lani Shaffer says. “Even though we did not get all four games in this weekend, I think we had a great showing this weekend, especially against 11th-ranked Armstrong."

Wingate took the lead in the top of the first on a bases loaded, illegal pitch by Queens freshman starter Lyndey McCurry (Commerce, Ga.) and never looked back. Whitley followed with her first RBI of the afternoon on a sacrifice fly to score sophomore first baseman Betsy Braswell (Rocky Mount, N.C.) and give Wingate a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the first.

After Wingate freshman pitcher Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) worked a perfect bottom of the first, the Bulldog offense posted four more runs on four hits in the second.  Sophomore third baseman Brittany Owens (Greenville, N.C.) led off the frame with a single. Two batters later, Braswell singled and freshman catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) followed with a walk to load the bases. Sophomore infielder Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) chased McCurry with a two-run double to right center to plate Owens and Braswell.  After a pitching change, Whitley greeted the Royals reliever with a single to score two more runs and give the ‘Dogs a 6-0 lead.

Queens once again went down in order in the second and Wingate busted the game open with eight runs in the third. Two walks and a fielder’s choice loaded the bases for Braswell who sent the pitch right back up the middle to drive in two runs. Burrell followed two batters later with a sacrifice-fly to score senior outfielder Kelsey Maffucci (Rockledge, Fla.). Whitley added her fourth RBI of the day on a single through the left side to push the lead to 11.

After adding another run on a Royal error, Wingate senior designated player Brittany Loudermilt (Stony Point, N.C.) drove in the first run of her senior year with a double to centerfield. Wingate finished the scoring in the third inning after Owens laced a single down the right field line, plating Houser and Loudermilt. Houser allowed just two singles over her final two frames of work. Bulldog Sophomore pitcher Miranda Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.) worked a scoreless bottom of the fifth to close out the game.

Four Bulldogs had at least two hits, led by Braswell’s three-for-four effort and every Wingate starter scored a run, led by three from Braswell. Owens finished two-for-two with two RBI and two runs scored while Loudermilt turned in a two-for-four day.  Freshman Samantha Martinez (Bordentown, N.J. ) and sophomore Whitney Britt (Gibson, N.C.) each had a hit to lead the Royals.

Houser earned the win, allowing two hits with one strikeout and one walk. She improved to  6-3 and has allowed just three earned runs over her last four road starts. McCurry allowed six runs in 1.2 innings of work, taking the loss to fall to 2-3.

The Bulldogs return to action Wednesday, traveling to Belmont Abbey for a 1:30 p.m. first pitch. Queens and Armstrong will play this afternoon in the final game of the Armstrong Classic.