Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University sophomore catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) had two homers Thursday afternoon, driving in eight of Wingate's 10 runs to lead the Bulldogs to a doubleheader sweep over 14th-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University in a South Atlantic Conference softball doubleheader. Wingate won the first game 2-1, while rallying for an 8-6 win in game two to improve to 25-11 overall and 7-1 in the SAC. The Bears fall to 25-8 overall and 5-3 in the conference.

Game One: Wingate 2, Lenoir-Rhyne 1

Sophomore right-hander Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) tossed a complete game four-hitter, while Laskey had an RBI and a run scored for the Bulldogs. Freshman outfielder Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) went three-for-four with a triple and a run scored, while senior designated player Kayla Saliga (Asheboro, N.C.) was one-for-two with an RBI.

The Bulldogs did all of their damage in the third inning. Smith started the frame with a triple to right, then scored on an RBI single from Laskey to make it 1-0. A sacrifice and passed ball sent Laskey to third, while an RBI single from Saliga gave the 'Dogs a two-run advantage.

Lenoir-Rhyne got on the board in the sixth when Sydney Landreth connected with a solo homer to right, making it 2-1. Haily Jarman followed with a double, then moved to third on a flyout but was stranded there when Houser induced an inning-ending foul out.

Houser notched her 15th win of the year in game one, allowing a run on four hits in seven innings of work, striking out four and walking two. Brandi Hole took the loss, falling to 14-3. She allowed two runs on nine hits in 4 1/3 innings, striking out three.

Game Two: Wingate 8, Lenoir-Rhyne 6

Laskey had a three-run homer and a grand slam to lead the Wingate offense, as the 'Dogs erased an early 5-1 deficit. Sophomore infielder Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) was two-for-three with a homer and two runs scored, while sophomore outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) went two-for-three with two runs scored. Smith also scored a pair of runs for the Bulldogs in game two.

Jody Mizelle had a homer, three RBI and three runs scored to lead the LRU offense in game two. Landreth was three-for-four with an RBI and a run scored, while Jarman went two-for-four with an RBI.

Mizelle led off the game with a walk, then scored on an RBI groundout from Jarman. Wingate answered in the bottom of the frame, tying the game at one when Helms connected on her sixth homer of the year, a solo shot to left center to make it 1-1.

The Bears responded with four runs in the second to take a 5-1 lead. Mizelle started the rally with a two-run triple, while Landreth followed with an RBI single. A sacrifice fly from Ashley Oliver gave the Bears a four-run lead.

Adams reached on a one-out single in the bottom of the third, while Smith added a two-out RBI single to bring Laskey to the plate with two on and two outs. She ripped a 1-2 pitch over the fence in right center to get the 'Dogs to within a run.

Adams got the rally started in the fifth with a one-out single, while Helms followed with a single. Smith followed by reaching on a fielder's choice, while Adams reached third safely ahead of the throw on the play to load the bases for Laskey. She lined the 10th pitch of the at bat over the fence in dead center to put Wingate on top 8-5. Laskey leads the team with seven homers and 31 RBI.

Mizelle answered by leading off the sixth inning with her sixth homer of the year, a solo shot to left. A pair of one-out singles put the tying run on base for the Bears, but a groundout and strikeout ended the threat. Houser retired the Bears in order in the seventh to notch her second win of the day.

Houser moved to 16-5 on the season, allowing one run on five hits in 5 2/3 relief innings, striking out one. Maryann Hoskins took the loss, allowing eight runs on seven hits in six innings, striking out eight.

The Bulldogs are back in action Sunday, hosting a doubleheader against Anderson at 1 p.m. The doubleheader was originally slated for Saturday, but was moved back a day due to the threat of inclement weather on Saturday.