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Salisbury, N.C.----Wingate University sophomore right-hander Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) tossed 11 2/3 shutout innings Wednesday afternoon as the Bulldogs swept a doubleheader at Catawba College in South Atlantic Conference softball action. Wingate won game one 4-0, while winning 3-2 in the second game to improve to 32-16 overall and 14-6 in the SAC. Catawba falls to 24-17 overall and 9-11 in the conference.

Game One: Wingate 4, Catawba 0

Houser took a no-hitter into the sixth inning while the 'Dogs scored four runs in the first two frames. Sophomore outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) was two-for-three with two RBI to lead the Wingate offense. Sophomore infielder Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) added a homer, while freshman outfielder Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) added two hits and a run scored. Junior designated player Kayla Saliga (Asheboro, N.C.) added two walks and an RBI for the Bulldogs.

A single from Smith, followed by a pair of walks loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first. Saliga drew a bases-loaded walk to plate the first run. Adams came up with two outs and the bases loaded and delivered a two-run single to make it 3-0.

Helms put Wingate on top 4-0 in the second when she connected on her team-best 10th homer of the year, a solo shot to give the 'Dogs a four-run lead.

That would be plenty for Houser. After allowing a two-out walk in the first, Houser retired the next 13 Catawba hitters. She allowed a leadoff single in the sixth, which was erased by a double play. Houser worked around a leadoff single in the seventh, getting two strikeouts and a groundout.

Houser moves to 20-7 on the season, notching her 23rd complete game and seventh shutout. She struck out three and walked one, needing just 77 pitches in seven innings of work, allowing just three singles. Carley Tysinger took the loss, falling to 17-7. The reigning SAC Pitcher of the Year allowed four runs on three hits in two innings of work, striking out four and walking four.

Game Two: Wingate 3, Catawba 2

Sophomore catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) went one-for-three with two RBI, while Helms was three-for-four with a triple and two runs scored to lead the Wingate offense. Senior outfielder Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) had a hit and an RBI, while Saliga added a double and a run scored for the Bulldogs.

Holli Chandler was two-for-three with two doubles and a run scored to lead the Catawba attack. Tysinger and Katherine Shumaker each added a hit and an RBI for the Indians.

Helms led off the game with a triple to right, then scored on Laskey's RBI groundout to give the 'Dogs an early 1-0 lead.

Catawba tied the game in the bottom of the frame on Tysinger's RBI single. Chandler led off the third with a double, then scored on Shumaker's RBI single to give the Indians a 2-1 lead.

The Bulldogs answered with a run in the fourth. Saliga ripped a one-out double to left, then scored on Whitley's RBI single to make it 2-2.

Helms led off the fifth inning with a single, then moved to second on a sacrifice. She scored the go-ahead run on Laskey's RBI single, giving the Bulldogs a 3-2 lead.

Catawba threatened in the bottom of the frame, putting runners on first and second with one out with a double and walk. Houser got out of the jam with a groundout and flyout, keeping Wingate on top. Two singles put runners on first and third for Catawba with one out in the seventh. A groundout and walk loaded the bases with two outs, but Houser induced a game-inning groundout to give the Bulldogs the doubleheader sweep.

Houser picked up her 21st win of the season, allowing just three hits in 4 2/3 relief innings, striking out one and walking two. The sophomore now has 45 career victories. Tysinger took the loss in game two, allowing a run on two hits in 3 1/3 innings, striking out six to fall to 17-8 on the year.

The Bulldogs are back in action Saturday, wrapping up the regular season at home against Lincoln Memorial at 1 p.m.