Box Score

Salisbury, N.C.----The seventh-seeded Wingate University Bulldogs defeated the eight-seeded Railsplitters of Lincoln Memorial University 5-1 Saturday morning in a game that started Friday night but was stopped due to rain. Wingate improves to 31-19-1 overall, advancing to take on the winner of the Mars Hill vs. Tusculum contest Saturday at 1 p.m. Lincoln Memorial concludes its season 30-22.

Freshman right-hander Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) tossed her third consecutive complete game in the tournament for the Bulldogs to earn the victory. Houser has thrown 25 2/3 innings in three SAC Tournament games for Wingate, allowing just four runs.

Senior first baseman Brittany Loudermilt (Stony Point, N.C.) drove in two runs for Wingate. Danae Reed’s solo homer accounted for Lincoln Memorial’s run.

Wingate wasted no time breaking through in the top of the first. A leadoff triple from senior outfielder Kelsey Maffucci (Rockledge, Fla.) put the Bulldogs in business, while Loudermilt ripped a single through the middle to get the Bulldogs on the board. An RBI-single from junior infielder Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) gave the ‘Dogs a 2-0 lead.

Play was suspended for the day due to weather, with Wingate holding a 2-0 lead with one out in the bottom of the second. Play was resumed Saturday morning.

LMU loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the second on a pair of walks and an Ashley Hanes single, but Houser was able to get out of trouble. Houser scattered six hits and struck out three to improve to 22-11 on the season.

The Bulldogs tacked on another run in the top of the third. An intentional walk to Maffucci and an infield single from freshman outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) put two on with one out. Loudermilt split the left-center gap with a single to make the score 3-0.

A two-out rally helped Wingate add another run in the fourth. Sophomore designated player Kayla Saliga (Asheboro, N.C.) drew a walk and advanced to third on a single from senior outfielder Kasey Pendley (Marion, N.C.). Maffucci came through with an RBI single to score a plate Saliga, making it 4-0.

Back-to-back doubles by Whitley and sophomore shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) gave the Bulldogs a 5-0 lead in the top of the seventh.

Reed’s solo homer in the seventh made the final score 5-1.

Whitley had three hits including a double for Wingate, driving in a run and scoring a run. Maffucci was two-for-two with a triple, RBI and two runs scored, while also drawing two walks.