Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  

Florence, S.C.----The 24th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs split a doubleheader at Francis Marion University in NCAA Division II softball action Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs won the first game 3-2, while the Patriots rallied for a 3-2 victory in game two. Wingate moves to 10-2 on the season, while Francis Marion moves to 7-5 overall.

Game One: Wingate 3, Francis Marion 2

Senior outfielder Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) had a double and two RBI to lead the Wingate attack. Sophomore infielder Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) added a homer and two runs scored, while senior designated player Kayla Saliga (Asheboro, N.C.) went two-for-three.

Jessie Sims was one-for-two with an RBI to lead the FMU attack, while Lindsey Brown went one-for-three with an RBI.

Wingate got off to a quick start, when Helms led off the game with her second homer of the year, a solo shot to left to put the 'Dogs on top 1-0.

Brown tied the game in the second with an RBI single.

Wingate had the answer, scoring two in the fifth to regain the lead. Whitley provided the big blow of the inning, a two-run double to left to put the Bulldogs on top 3-1.

FMU responded with a run in the sixth on an RBI single from Sims. The Patriots tried to tie the game on the play, but sophomore outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) threw out the runner at the plate to keep Wingate on top by one.

Sophomore right-hander Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) got the win, moving to 6-0 on the year. She allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings of work, striking out two. Taylor Luff took the loss, falling to 3-3. She allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings, striking out nine.

Game Two: Francis Marion 3, Wingate 2

Ashley Burney went one-for-two with a homer and three RBI to lead the FMU attack in game two.

Saliga went two-for-three in game two to lead the Wingate attack. Freshman infielder Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) was one-for-two with an RBI, while sophomore catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) went one-for-three with a run scored.

Wingate got on the board in the first when Helms led off the game with a walk, went to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a sacrifice, then scored on a wild pitch.

The Bulldogs added a run in the fourth on an RBI single from McLaurin.

FMU had the answer in the bottom of the frame when Burney connected on a three-run homer to right center, giving the Patriots a 3-2 lead.

Katie Carnes got the win, allowing two runs on five hits in seven innings of work, striking out five. Freshman left-hander Taylor Bates (Peachland, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 3-2. She allowed three runs on just three hits in six innings of work, striking out four.

The Bulldogs return to action Wednesday, traveling to UNC Pembroke for a doubleheader at 1 p.m.