Box Score

Harrogate, Tenn.----The third-seeded Wingate University Bulldogs won their second straight elimination game Saturday afternoon, picking up a 4-1 victory over Carson-Newman University on day thee of the Food Lion SAC softball tournament. The Bulldogs improve to 35-17 overall, while Carson-Newman falls to 34-18 on the year.

With the win, Wingate advances to play another game Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs will face the loser of the Catawba vs. Anderson contest. Wingate's third consecutive elimination game will take place at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Junior shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) and sophomore outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) each went two-for-three with a double and a run scored to lead the Wingate offense. Senior designated player Kayla Saliga (Asheboro, N.C.) was one-for-three with an RBI, while sophomore infielder Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) added a pair of hits for the Bulldogs.

Wingate got on the board in the fourth, when freshman outfielder Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) started the inning with a single, then went to second on a sacrifice and third on Burrell's double. Smith scored on a wild pitch, while Saliga's RBI single made it 2-0.

Carson-Newman cut the lead in half in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases with a single and two walks. A bases-loaded walk plated the run for the Eagles.

The Bulldogs added some insurance in the seventh. Adams started the frame with a double to right center, then moved to third when freshman infielder Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) reached on a bunt. Freshman first baseman Amy Wingfield (Mechanicsville, Va.) then lined one to right to plate Adams, while a sacrifice fly from senior pinch-hitter Hayley Whitley (Monroe, N.C.) gave the 'Dogs a three-run lead.

That would be plenty for Houser, who notched her third win of the tournament and league-best 24th victory of the year. Carson-Newman piled up 23 runs and 31 hits in two games on Friday, but the first team All-SAC selection Houser limited the Eagles to a run on just three hits. She retired 10 of the first 11 batters she faced on Saturday.

Houser moves to 24-8 on the season, notching her 48th career victory. She allowed a run on three hits, all of which were singles. Houser struck out four and walked four, registering her 26th complete game of the season. Cassie Lyons took the loss, falling to 10-3. She allowed four runs on nine hits in seven innings of work, striking out two without walking a batter.