Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009 last season and head coach Lani Shaffer is excited about the talented group which will be taking the field in the 2014 season. Wingate went 33-22-1 overall last year, winning 15 of its final 20 games including three SAC Tournament wins and a victory in the NCAA Tournament. The two NCAA Tournament losses were both one-run defeats against fourth-ranked Armstrong, with the final loss to the Pirates coming in nine innings.

"Preseason has been great!" Shaffer says. "Everyone came back in great shape from Christmas break and are ready to go. Our goal this year is to be in the top three in the SAC, along with being ranked in the region like last year."

The pitching staff will be anchored by second team All-SAC selection Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.). She was 24-14 during her freshman season with a 1.68 ERA while piling up a league-high 275 innings pitched. She notched a SAC Tournament record 40 2/3 innings pitched, while her 275 innings pitched on the year rank ninth in league history. Junior Miranda Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.) was 9-8 with a 2.42 ERA in 2013. Wingate will also expect big things from freshman Taylor Bates (Peachland, N.C.).

"On the mound this year, we are fortunate to have more depth and a solid pitching staff," Shaffer says. "Stacey Houser returns after an extraordinary freshman campaign and will set a high standard for our pitching performance. We also return Miranda Paul who brings a depth of experience and leadership to the circle. Finally, we have added freshman Taylor Bates, who is not only a fresh arm but a lefty. We expect all three pitchers to not only contribute but to lead our team."

Sophomore Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) will be the only familiar face in the outfield. She started all 56 games last year, hitting .255 while scoring 23 runs. Senior Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) moves to the outfield after playing second base her first three seasons. The preseason All-SAC selection hit .314 last year with three homers, nine doubles and 35 RBI. Sophomore Jordan Wilson (Gastonia, N.C.) and freshman Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) will also see time in the outfield.

"All four of these young ladies will be impact players for us in the outfield this season," Shaffer says. Shannen Adams is our only returning outfielder, and will step into a very important leadership role after losing two pivotal senior outfielders last year. Hayley Whitley has made the transition from the infield to the outfield and has done a very nice job for us in right field in the fall and preseason. She is a very hard worker who will always give 100 percent no matter where she plays or where the team needs her, so we expect Hayley to thrive in this role. Olivia Smith and Jordan Wilson will bring some added speed to the outfield and will both split time in left field."

The infield will be anchored by preseason All-SAC shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.). The junior hit .307 last year, leading the team with 10 homers, 11 doubles and 37 RBI. Sophomores Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) and Emily Usiak (Matthews, N.C.) will also be in the infield, along with newcomers Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.), Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) and Amy Wingfield (Mechanicsville, Va.).

"Our infield will be very athletic and mobile this year as we mix our returners with newcomers," Shaffer says. "Every single infielder can and has played multiple infield positions which has built a foundation of healthy competition. Alexis Burrell has shown some maturity from last year to this year and I expect that to reflect in her play. We are excited about the quickness that transfer Mellena Helms brings to the middle infield and look forward to watching her play. At the corners we are returning Emily Usiak who is unfortunately recovering from a wrist injury but look forward in getting her back in the middle of the season. We believe our two freshman corners Katie McLaurin and Amy Wingfield will make an immediate impact in fulfilling those very important roles."

"Behind the plate will be Taylor Laksey and Jordan Wilson who are both very talented catchers," Shaffer says. "We see both catchers sharing time behind the plate in addition to Taylor contributing at first base and Jordan splitting time in the outfield."

Senior Kayla Saliga (Asheboro, N.C.) will once again be the designated player for the Bulldogs. She earned second team All-SAC honors last year, and is a first team preseason All-SAC selection this year. She hit a team-best .346 last year, with five homers, seven doubles and 18 RBI in 29 games. "Kayla is a truly talented hitter who will bring her powerful bat to our line-up again this year."

Wingate opens its season Saturday, hosting GRU Augusta at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs will play a total of 10 games against teams that appeared in the 2013 NCAA Southeast Regionals. Wingate will have a rematch against regional champion Armstrong Atlantic during the Mid-South Classic, while also facing NCAA Tournament participants North Georgia and Columbus State that weekend. The Bulldogs will host defending regular season SAC champion Tusculum for a doubleheader March 15, while also hosting defending SAC Tournament champion Lenoir-Rhyne for a doubleheader March 25.