Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  

Columbus, Ga.----The Wingate University Bulldogs remained undefeated on the season Sunday afternoon, picking up a pair of wins on the final day of the Cougar Classic. Wingate opened the day by defeating King College 5-4, while a 2-0 victory against Belmont Abbey College helped the 'Dogs improve to 8-0 on the season. Wingate went 4-0 in the Cougar Classic, the only team to go unbeaten on the weekend. It is the best start to a season since 2007, when Wingate also won its first eight games of the year.

Wingate 5, King 4

Freshman Amy Wingfield (Mechanicsville, Va.) had a homer and two RBI to lead the Wingate offense. Senior designated player Kayla Saliga (Asheboro, N.C.) was two-for-three with a double, RBI and run scored, while freshman infielder Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) added a double and an RBI for the Bulldogs.

The Tornado jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on an RBI single from Fallon Thomas.

Wingate got on the board in the second, plating three runs to take a 3-1 lead. Saliga ripped a one-out double to right center, while Wingfield's two-run homer put Wingate on top. The freshman has a team-best three homers this season. Sophomore outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) followed with a single, then scored on an RBI double from McLaurin to put the 'Dogs on top by two.

An RBI single from Tori McComas in the third got King to within one at 3-2. Wingate pushed the lead back to two in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single from Saliga.

Chrissy Melcher got the Tornado back within a run in the fourth with an RBI single. The 'Dogs again had the answer, with sophomore Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) leading off the bottom of the fourth with a walk, then going to third on a pair of groundouts. She scored on a wild pitch to make it 5-3.

Hannah Smith connected on a solo homer in the fifth to make the final margin 5-4.

Sophomore right-hander Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) got the win, improving to 4-0 on the year. She allowed four runs on nine hits in seven innings of work, striking out eight and walking three. Hannah Light took the loss, falling to 2-1. She allowed five runs on six hits in six innings, striking out four and walking four.

Wingate 2, Belmont Abbey 0

Freshman left-hander Taylor Bates (Peachland, N.C.) tossed her second complete game shutout in as many days to lead the 'Dogs to a 2-0 victory over the Crusaders. Junior shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) was two-for-four with a homer to lead the offense, while Saliga went one-for-one with a double and an RBI.

Wingate got on the board in the second, when Burrell connected on her second homer in as many days to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead.

Wingate added some insurance in the sixth when sophomore catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) drew a leadoff walk, then scored on an RBI double to left center from Saliga, making the final margin 2-0.

That would be plenty for Bates, who moved to 3-0 on the season. The freshman allowed just three hits (all singles), striking out eight and walking six, throwing 136 pitches on the afternoon. Sophomore right-hander Samantha Jacobs took the loss, falling to 0-5. She allowed two runs on seven hits in seven innings, striking out 10 while walking six.

Wingate is back in action Thursday, traveling to Francis Marion for a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.