Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
Anderson, S.C.----The Wingate University softball team split a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader at Anderson (S.C.) University Wednesday afternoon at Smethers Field on the AU campus. The visiting Bulldogs won the opener 4-3. The Trojans rallied for a 3-2 victory in the night. Anderson is 30-6 overall and 7-3 in the SAC. Wingate is 18-17-1 overall and 2-8 in the SAC.

Game #1 – Wingate 4, Anderson (S.C.) 3
 
Wingate senior outfielder Kasey Pendley (Marion, N.C.) stroked a two-RBI double to give the Bulldogs the lead for good in the fifth inning. Pendley’s hit was a part of Wingate’s three-run fifth frame as the visitors turned a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 advantage.
 
With one out in the fifth, freshman catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) singled down the left-field line. Bulldog junior utility player Kaity Schultz (Pittsfield, Ill.) entered to run for Laskey. Freshman third baseman Emily Usiak (Matthews, N.C.) walked to put runners on first and second.
 
Bulldog sophomore designated player Kayla Saliga (Asheboro, N.C.) reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. An Anderson error allowed Schultz to reach third in the process. Pendley followed with her double to score Schultz and Usiak. Senior outfielder Kelsey Maffucci (Rockledge, Fla.) contributed an RBI single to score Saliga, making the score 3-1 Bulldogs.
 
Anderson took an early 1-0 lead when sophomore second baseman Jessica Neidigh (Lawrenceville, Ga.) hit her fourth home run of the season in the third inning. The Trojans cut the margin to 3-2 with a single spot in the bottom of the sixth. AU junior first baseman Danielle Swygert (Sharpsburg, Ga.) led off the inning with a single. A walk moved her to second. Swygert scored on an RBI double by junior outfielder Samantha Young (Canton, Ga.).
 
Both teams scored one run in the seventh inning. Usiak started the Wingate seventh with a double. She scored on an RBI single by freshman center field Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.). An RBI double by AU junior catcher Laura Jansky (Kennesaw, Ga.) plated the Trojans’ seventh-inning score. Anderson left the tying run on third in the seventh.
 
Adams led the Bulldogs with two hits in four at-bats. Freshman center fielder Molly Child (LaGrange, Ga.) had three base hits for Anderson. Neidigh and Young had two hits each. The Trojans left nine runners on base, compared to six for the Bulldogs.
 
Wingate freshman pitcher Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) earned the complete game victory to collect her 12th victory of the season. Houser scattered three runs on 10 hits, striking out three and walking three. Anderson junior pitcher Lauren Bell (Woodstock, Ga.) took the loss, falling to 16-3 overall on the year. Bell allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits in seven innings. She struck out three and walked four.

Game #2 – Anderson (S.C.) 3, Wingate 2
 
Anderson scored twice (with two outs) in the bottom of the sixth inning, changing a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead. Neidigh started the rally with a single. She scored on Molly Child’s double, while Child moved to third on the throw. She scored on a passed ball.
 
Wingate struck first with a single spot in the top of fourth frame. Maffucci started the stanza with an infield single. She moved to second on an Adams’ sacrifice bunt. Senior first baseman Brittany Loudermilt (Stony Point, N.C.) singled to move Maffucci to third. A sacrifice fly by junior infielder Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) plated Maffucci.
 
Anderson knotted the score 1-1 with a tally in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Molly Child doubled. AU junior shortstop Abby Child (LaGrange, Ga.) walked and Swygert was hit by a pitch to load the bases. An RBI groundout by Jansky scored Molly Child. A walk re-loaded the bases, but Houser escaped further damage when she induced a pop fly.
 
The Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead with a run in the top of the sixth inning. Maffucci did the honors, as she hit her second home run of the season over the left field fence. Whitley started the seventh with a single, but a line-drive double play erased Wingate’s final base runner.
 
Maffucci had two of Wingate’s four hits in the nightcap. Three Anderson players had two hits each in game two. Houser (12-9 overall) took the pitching loss, as she surrendered three runs on nine hits. She struck out two and walked four in six innings of work. AU junior Bailey Smith (Shelby, N.C.) earned the victory. She allowed two runs on four hits in seven innings. Smith struck out three and did not allow a walk.
 
Wingate visits Belmont Abbey for a non-conference doubleheader Monday at 1 p.m. Anderson takes a trip up the mountain Saturday, traveling to Lincoln Memorial for a 2 p.m. SAC twin bill.