Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs pounded out 21 hits Wednesday afternoon en route to a doubleheader sweep over visiting Belmont Abbey College in NCAA Division II softball action. Wingate won the first game 11-0 in five innings, while winning 5-3 in game two to improve to 20-10 overall. The Crusaders fall to 7-18 on the season.

Game One: Wingate 11, Belmont Abbey 0 (5 innings)

Sophomore right-hander Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) tossed her second five-inning no-hitter of the season, while sophomore outfielder Jordan Wilson (Gastonia, N.C.) was three-for-three with a double, three RBI and two runs scored to lead the Wingate attack. Sophomore infielder Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) was three-for-four with two doubles, a triple, three RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) went one-for-two with an RBI and a run scored.

After a scoreless first inning, the Bulldogs plated nine runs in the second frame. The first run scored on an error, while a two-run double from Helms made it 3-0. Laskey followed with an RBI single, while freshmen Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) and Amy Wingfield (Mechanicsville, N.C.) drew bases-loaded walks to push the lead to six. Wilson capped the scoring in the frame by clearing the bases with a three-run double off the top of the fence in left to give the 'Dogs a 9-0 lead.

Helms led off the third inning with a triple to right center, then scored on an RBI single from senior outfielder Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.). Wilson reached on a one-out single in the fourth, then scored on an RBI double from Helms to make the final margin 11-0.

Houser allowed just two base runners on the day, issuing a pair of walks in the third inning before retiring the final eight hitters of the game. She moved to 11-4 on the season, striking out four without allowing a hit in five innings of work. Samantha Jacobs took the loss, falling to 4-10. She allowed nine runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking six.

Game Two: Wingate 5, Belmont Abbey 3

Helms and Wingfield each went three-for-three with a run scored to lead the Wingate offense in game two. Junior shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) had a homer for the Bulldogs, while freshman outfielder Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) was two-for-three with an RBI. Laskey and Wilson each added an RBI in game two for the Bulldogs.

Nicole Stovall was one-for-two with an RBI to lead the Belmont Abbey attack in game two. Amber Faust went one-for-three with two runs scored, while Kaitlyn Jones was three-for-four.

Wingate jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Helms led off the frame with a single, then scored on an RBI single from Laskey.

Belmont Abbey scored two runs in the second to take the lead. Both runs scored when the Crusaders had runners on second and third. A passed ball allowed the first run to score, while a throwing error on the play around the second run to score.

Wingate tied the game in the third when Burrell connected on her fourth homer of the year, a solo shot to center to make it 2-2. The Crusaders regained the lead in the fourth on an RBI double from Stovall.

The Bulldogs responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame to take a 4-3 lead. Wingfield led off the inning with a single, then scored on a Belmont Abbey error to make it 3-3. An RBI single from Smith put the 'Dogs back on top.

Wingate added an insurance run in the fifth when Saliga led off the frame with a single, then scored on a sacrifice fly from Wilson to make it 5-3.

Junior right-hander Miranda Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.) got the win, improving to 2-0 on the year. She allowed three unearned runs on nine hits in seven innings of work, striking out three and walking two. Catelyn Presley took the loss, falling to 3-7. She allowed five runs on 12 hits in six innings of work, striking out two and walking two.

The Bulldogs are back in action Thursday, traveling to Queens for a SAC doubleheader at 2 p.m.