Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

Jefferson City, Tenn.----Wingate University freshman left-hander Taylor Bates (Peachland, N.C.) tossed a six-hit shutout in game two of Saturday's doubleheader Saturday afternoon, helping the visiting Bulldogs register a doubleheader split in South Atlantic Conference softball action. Carson-Newman won game one 3-1, while the 'Dogs took game two 3-0. Wingate moves to 29-13 overall and 11-3 in the SAC, while the Eagles move to 28-12 overall and 7-7 in the SAC. The Bulldogs remain in first place in the SAC standings, a game ahead of second place Lenoir-Rhyne, who sits in second at 10-4 in league play. 

Game One: Carson-Newman 3, Wingate 1

Kelli Hensley went two-for-three with a triple, RBI and run scored to lead the Carson-Newman attack in game one. Elayna Siebert added an RBI and a run scored for the Eagles, while Sara Kelley also drove in a run for Carson-Newman.

Freshman outfielder Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) went two-for-three with a run scored to lead the Wingate offense. Sophomore outfielder Jordan Wilson (Gastonia, N.C.) was one-for-one while also drawing a walk, while sophomore catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) added a double for the Bulldogs.

Wingate got on the board in the first when Smith was hit by a pitch, then went to third on Laskey's double. Smith scored on a double play to give the 'Dogs a 1-0 advantage.

Hensley started the third with a triple, then scored on Siebert's RBI single to tie it at one. Hensley's RBI single in the fifth put the Eagles on top 2-1.

Carson-Newman added some insurance in the sixth when Seibert scored on Kelley's RBI single, making the final score 3-1.

Cassie Lyons got the win, moving to 3-0 on the year. She allowed a run on six hits in seven innings of work, striking out three and walking three. Sophomore right-hander Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 18-6. She allowed two earned runs on seven hits in six innings of work, striking out four and walking three.

Game Two: Wingate 3, Carson-Newman 0

Laskey homered to lead the Wingate offense, while freshman infielder Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) was two-for-three with a double and an RBI for the Bulldogs. Smith also had an RBI, while junior designated player Kayla Saliga (Asheboro, N.C.) and sophomore outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) each had two hits and a run scored.

The game would enter the sixth inning scoreless. Laskey put the 'Dogs on top when she led off the sixth with her team-best ninth homer of the year, a solo shot to right to make it 1-0. Saliga followed with a single, then scored on McLaurin's RBI double to make it 2-0.

The Bulldogs added a run in the seventh, starting with a one-out single from Adams. She moved to third on a double from sophomore infielder Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.), then scored on Smith's RBI fielder's choice to make it 3-0.

That would be plenty for Bates, who moved to 9-7 on the season. She held the Eagles to six hits on the day, all of which were single. Bates struck out five without walking a batter, needing exactly 100 pitches to register her third shutout of the season. Kalyn Davis took the loss, falling to 12-6. She allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings of work, striking out one and walking two.

The Bulldogs are back in action Tuesday, hosting a doubleheader against Coker at 2 p.m.