Box Score  

Dahlonega, Ga.----For the fifth time this season, the Wingate University Bulldogs defeated the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne University. Wingate defeated No. 24 Lenoir-Rhyne 3-1 Sunday afternoon on Day three of the NCAA Southeast Region tournament, ending the season for the Bears. Wingate improves to 38-19 overall, while LRU ends its season at 40-15 overall.

The Bulldogs advance to take on top-seeded and second-ranked North Georgia Sunday at 2:30 p.m. If Wingate wins, the two teams will play again Sunday, with the winner advancing out of the Dahlonega regional.

Sophomore infielder Emily Usiak (Matthews, N.C.) was two-for-three with a double and two RBI to lead the Wingate attack. Freshman infielder Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) went two-for-two with a double, RBI and run scored, while sophomore outfielder Jordan Wilson (Gastonia, N.C.) was one-for-two with two runs scored.

LRU got on the board in the top in the top of the first, with Jody Mizelle drawing a leadoff walk, then stealing second. She scored on an RBI single from Ashley Oliver to make it 1-0.

Wingate tied the game in the second, when Wilson was hit by a pitch to start the inning, then went to second on a sacrifice. She would score on Usiak's RBI double down the left field line to make it 1-1.

The Bulldogs took the lead in the fourth, starting with a one-out single from Wilson. She scored on McLaurin's RBI double to make it 2-1. Usiak's RBI single put the 'Dogs on top by two.

Lenoir-Rhyne posted a threat in the sixth, loading the bases with one out via two singles and a walk. Sophomore right-hander Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) got out of the jam by inducing a pair of pop-outs. The Bears got a lead-off walk in the seventh, but a strike-out, a line-out and a fly-out ended the game.

Houser got the win, her fifth of the year against Lenoir-Rhyne. The first team All-SAC selection allowed a run on four hits in seven innings of work, striking out four and walking four to notch her 50th career win. She is 26-10 on the season. Brandi Hole took the loss for LRU, allowing three runs on six hits in six innings, striking out two and walking two.