Box Score

Harrogate, Tenn.----The third-seeded Wingate University Bulldogs used a six-run second inning Saturday afternoon to pick up an 8-0 victory in five innings over the eighth-seeded Catawba College Indians on day three of the Food Lion SAC softball tournament. The Bulldogs improve to 36-17 overall, advancing to championship Sunday in the SAC Tournament. Catawba is eliminated from the tournament, falling to 26-21 on the season.

The Bulldogs have now won three consecutive elimination games to advance to championship Sunday for the first time since the 2009 season. In the three elimination games, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 13-1, with Wingate pitching allowing only one run on seven hits (all singles) in 19 innings. The Bulldogs will face second-seeded Anderson at 1 p.m. on Sunday. If Wingate wins, it will force one more game against the Trojans, with the winner of that game taking the SAC title.

Freshman left-hander Taylor Bates (Peachland, N.C.) tossed five innings of two-hit shutout ball for the Bulldogs, while the offense piled up 11 hits. Senior designated player Kayla Saliga (Asheboro, N.C.) and junior shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) both went two-for-three with two RBI and a run scored to lead the Wingate attack. Freshman outfielder Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) added two hits and a run scored, while sophomore outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) added an RBI and run scored for the Bulldogs.

After a scoreless first inning, Wingate exploded for six runs on seven hits in the second. Saliga started the rally with a leadoff single, moving to third on a double from sophomore outfielder Jordan Wilson (Gastonia, N.C.). Adams drove home the first run with an RBI single, while a wild pitch made it 2-0. An RBI groundout from sophomore infielder Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) pushed the lead to three, while an RBI groundout from sophomore catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) made it 4-0. Burrell followed with a two-run single to give the 'Dogs a six-run lead.

A two-out walk in the fourth to Laskey, followed by a Burrell single put runners on first and second for Saliga, who ripped a two-run double to left center to make it 8-0. This would be plenty run support for Bates. After allowing a two-out single in the first, Bates retired 10 straight Catawba hitters. She finished the game by striking out the final two batters in the fifth.

Bates moves to 10-9 on the year, allowing only two singles in five innings of work, striking out three and walking one. Bates needed only 55 pitches on the day. Caroline Turner took the loss, falling to 5-6. She allowed three runs on four hits in one inning of work.