Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
 
Due West, S.C.----The Erskine College Flying Fleet rallied for a 3-1 victory in game one of an NCAA Division II softball doubleheader Tuesday afternoon, but the visiting Bulldogs of Wingate University rallied for a 7-5 victory in game two. Wingate used a three-run seventh inning to salvage a split, moving to 3-1 on the season. Erskine, who scored three in the sixth inning of game one, is 1-1 overall.  

Game One: Erskine 3, Wingate 1

Ashlyn Hicks was two-for-three with an RBI and a run scored to lead the Erskine attack. Kelsey Spurrier was also two-for-three with an RBI for the Flying Fleet, while allowing only two hits in seven innings of work as the game one starter in the circle. Morgan Purcell and Lindsay Waters added a hit and a run scored each.

Freshman catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) had a double and an RBI to lead the Wingate attack. Sophomore third baseman Brittany Owens (Greenville, N.C.) was one-for-two for the Bulldogs, while sophomore first baseman Betsy Braswell (Rocky Mount, N.C.) drew three walks and scored a run.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first. Braswell drew a two-out walk, then scored on an RBI double from Laskey.

Wingate had a chance to add to its lead in the third, loading the bases with one out. Spurrier got a strikeout, then induced a flyout to end the inning and get out of the jam.

The Flying Fleet started the sixth inning with a pair of singles. An RBI single from Hicks tied the game at one, while Colleen Gardner delivered the go-ahead RBI single two batters later. Spurrier followed with an RBI single to make it 3-1.

Spurrier went the distance to get the win for Erskine, allowing only two hits while striking out six. She worked around seven walks in the game. Wingate left eight runners on base in the opener. Freshman right-hander Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 1-1. She allowed three runs on eight hits in six innings of work, striking out two while walking one.

Game Two: Wingate 7, Erskine 5

Sophomore shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) was four-for-four with a homer, two doubles, three RBI and three runs scored to lead the Wingate offense. Freshman outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) was two-for-four with an RBI, while senior outfielder Kelsey Maffucci (Rockledge, Fla.) went two-for-four with a double. Junior infielder Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) was one-for-one with an RBI and a run scored, while adding a walk and a sacrifice.

Larissa Shannon was two-for-four with a homer to lead the Erskine offense. Purcell went two-for-three with an RBI and a run scored, while Christine Long was two-for-three with a double.

The Bulldogs once again got off to a quick start, plating three runs in the first inning. Adams singled to start the game, while Laskey reached via a walk. Burrell provided the big blow of the inning, blasting her third homer of the year to put the ‘Dogs on top 3-0.

The Flying Fleet responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame to cut the lead to one on RBI singles from Purcell and Hicks. Erskine scored two more runs in the bottom of the second, taking a 4-3 lead on an RBI single from Waters.

The Bulldogs tied the game in the top of the third. Burrell started the frame with a double, while Whitley followed with an RBI single to make it 4-4.

Erskine regained the lead in the fifth when Shannon connected on her first homer of the year, a solo shot to make it 5-4.

Burrell led off the seventh inning with a double, while Whitley followed by drawing a walk. A single from Houser loaded the bases with no outs. Owens tied the game with a sacrifice fly, while an RBI groundout from senior outfielder Kasey Pendley (Marion, N.C.) put Wingate on top. Adams followed with an RBI single, plating Houser to give the ‘Dogs a two-run lead.

Sophomore right-hander Miranda Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.) worked a hitless seventh to secure her second win of the year. Paul went the distance, allowing five runs on 12 hits while striking out two to move to 2-0 on the year. Kaitlyn White took the loss, falling to 0-1. She allowed three runs on two hits in 2/3 of an inning.

The Bulldogs return to action Saturday, hosting a doubleheader against Coker College. Erskine hosts Brevard College Saturday at 1 p.m.