Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Murfreesboro, N.C.----- The Wingate University softball team began the Lani Shaffer era and the 2013 season in style on Sunday afternoon, sweeping the Chowan University Hawks 9-0 and 6-1 at Hawks Field. The game one win marked the eighth straight year the Bulldogs opened the season with a victory. Wingate is 2-0 while the Hawks drop to 2-2.

“I was really happy with the way we came out and played today,” Shaffer said after her first two coaching wins. “It was a total team effort. Our pitchers complimented each other well and the defense was great behind them. It was also fun to see the offense come alive.”

Game One: Wingate 9, Chowan 0

Wingate freshman pitcher Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) had a debut to remember in the blue and gold, allowing just one hit in the complete-game shutout. She struck out five without walking any Hawks to pick up her first career win.

The offense gave Houser all the support she would need in the top of the first inning thanks to an RBI single from freshman catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.). The Dogs would add another in the third on a Betsy Braswell (Rocky Mount, N.C.) single to score freshman centerfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.).

Wingate would pour it on with three runs in the sixth and four more in the seventh while Houser continued to cruise in the circle. Junior second basemen Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) and sophomore shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) each drove in a run in the sixth with Burrell later scoring on a passed ball.

In the seventh, Houser delivered the big blow in the frame against Chowan senior pitcher Lacey Wildeboer (Castle Hayne, N.C.) with a two-RBI single to right field. Burrell followed two batters later with her third hit of the game to score Houser and sophomore designated player Kayla Saliga (Asheboro, N.C.) drove in her first career RBI to finish the scoring.

Seven Bulldogs registered a hit, led by three from Burrell. Wildeboer went the distance and took the loss for the Hawks to drop to 1-1. Chowan junior Kayla Brady (Clarks Summit, Pa.) had the lone hit for the Hawks.

Game Two: Wingate 6, Chowan 1

Burrell led the Bulldogs offensively in game two, belting two homers two runs scored. Braswell also went deep in the nightcap, while sophomore third baseman Brittany Owens (Greenville, N.C.) went two-for-three with a run scored.

The Bulldogs once again took a lead that they would not surrender in the top of the first on the Braswell two-run homer to center off Chowan starter Courtney Groce (Hamptonville, N.C.). It was the first of the season and ninth career homer for the pre-season All-South Atlantic Conference selection. It gave Wingate a 2-0 after one complete inning.

Chowan threatened in the bottom of the third against Wingate sophomore pitcher Miranda Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.). The Hawks had runners at second and third with one out but Burrell threw out a runner at home while Paul induced an inning-ending groundout to halt the threat.

Burrell belted her first home run of the game and season to lead off the fifth, giving Wingate a 3-0 lead. The Hawks responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame on a RBI single by senior outfielder Shelby Pendleton to cut the the lead back down to two.

The Bulldog bats came alive again in the seventh with three more runs on four hits to put the game out of reach. Whitley started the inning with a double and Burrell followed with her second blast of the game, again hitting it out to straightaway centerfield. It was the seventh career homer for the Chesapeake, Va. native. Wingate added another run to finish the scoring and complete the sweep.

Paul went the distance for the ‘Dogs, striking out six and walking none to improve to 1-0. She scattered six hits and allowed just one run. Groce gave up six earned runs on nine Wingate hits to fall to 1-1.

The Bulldogs will play three more times over the next week, beginning Tuesday on the road at Erskine College. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. The Hawks travel to Barton on Saturday.