Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs picked up their third doubleheader sweep of the season Wednesday afternoon, winning a pair of games against the visiting University of Mount Olive Trojans in NCAA Division II softball action. Wingate won the first game 5-1, while prevailing 10-8 in game two to improve to 7-1 overall. Mount Olive falls to 5-5 on the year.

Game One: #25 Wingate 5, Mount Olive 1

Senior shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) went two-for-four with a homer to lead the Wingate attack. Sophomore infielder Misty Doran (Century, Fla.) was two-for-two with a double and two RBI, while junior infielder Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) went three-for-four with an RBI.

Mount Olive jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Kelsey Akers scored on an RBI single from Tiffany Hawley. Wingate tied it in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single from junior catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.).

The Bulldogs took the lead in the fourth on an RBI single from Helms.

Wingate added three insurance runs in the fifth. Burrell started it by connecting on her team-best fourth homer of the year, a solo shot to right center to make it 3-1. Doran added a two-run double to the left center field gap to push the lead to four.

Junior right-hander Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) got the win, moving to 4-1 on the year. She allowed a run on five hits in seven innings of work, striking out five. Madison Johnston took the loss, falling to 3-2. She allowed four runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out one.

Game Two: #25 Wingate 10, Mount Olive 8

Burrell was two-for-three with a homer, four RBI and two runs scored to lead the Wingate attack in game two. Helms was two-for-four with a homer and two runs scored, while Freshman Mikayla Hannah (Lancaster, S.C.) added three hits and an RBI. Classmate Morgan Hendrix (Mocksville, N.C.) added two hits, an RBI and a run scored for the Bulldogs.

Wingate jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first when Helms connected on her second homer of the year, a solo shot to left center. Mount Olive responded with five runs in the second. RBI singles from Jasmine Montgomery and  Taylor Carter put the Trojans on top, while A Beth Overman two-run single, followed by a double steal capped the scoring, making it 5-1.

The 'Dogs countered with a six-run second. An RBI single from Hendrix, followed by a bases-loaded walk to Laskey made it 5-3. Burrell followed with her fifth homer of the year, a grand slam to right to put Wingate on top 7-5.

A bases-loaded walk in the fourth got the Trojans to within one at 7-6. RBI singles from Hannah and junior outfielder Jordan Wilson (Gastonia, N.C.) put Wingate on top 9-6 in the bottom of the frame.

A Tiffany Hawley RBI single in the fifth cut the lead to two. Wingate scored on a Trojan error in the bottom of the frame to take a 10-7 advantage. Mount Olive scored a run in the seventh to make the final margin 10-8 on an RBI single from Jonas.

Senior right-hander Miranda Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.) got the win, moving to 1-0 on the year. She allowed two runs on three hits in three innings of work, striking out one. Houser worked the final 2 1/3 innings, earning her third save of the season, allowing a run on two hits. Lauren Smith took the loss, falling to 2-3. She allowed nine runs on 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings, striking out four.

Wingate is back in action Saturday, traveling to Dahlonega, Ga. to face North Georgia and Nova Southeastern on Saturday and Sunday.