Wingate, N.C.-----The #10 Wingate University softball team split a doubleheader with the University of North Carolina Pembroke on Saturday afternoon in Division II softball action at the Wingate Softball Complex. The Braves (10-5) took game one 6-5 in eight innings, while the Bulldogs (9-3) won game two 5-1.

Game One: UNC Pembroke 6, #10 Wingate 5 (8 Innings)

Junior catcher Taylor Laksey (Cherryville, N.C.), who was celebrating her 21st birthday, led the Wingate offense going three-for-three with three RBI including a solo homerun. Freshman outfielder Morgan Hendrix (Mocksville, N.C.) went three-for-five with a run scored. 

UNC Pembroke took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first but Laskey quickly cut the advantage in half with her second homer of the season. The blast cleared the scoreboard in left field to make it to 2-1 after the first inning.

The Braves quickly pushed the lead back to two thanks to a Kaytee Wilson (Kernersville, N.C.) RBI single in the top of the third. In the fifth, junior infielder Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) pulled the 'Dogs back within one with a single to right field to score junior infielder Emily Usiak (Weddington, N.C.). UNCP once again answered with one run, taking a 4-2 lead to the bottom of the seventh.

Junior outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) singled to start the inning. Two batters later Hendrix singled, then advanced to second on an error, with Adams going to third. Laskey delivered another clutch hit, singling to right just out of the reach of the diving attempt of junior right fielder Whitney Jackson (Farmville, N.C.) to bring home Adams and Hendrix and send the game to extra innings. 

With a runner placed on second via the international tiebreaker rule, UNCP would get a two-out RBI single from senior Megan Hillard (Mooresville, N.C.) followed by another RBI single Karlee Wilson (Kernersville, N.C.) to take another two-run lead into the bottom of the eighth. 

Adams drove home freshman pinch runner Hailey Barbatis (Wheelersburg, Ohio) to cut the deficit back to one. The Bulldogs had two more chances with the tying run in scoring position, but the rally came up short, giving the Braves a 6-5 upset win in game one.

Wingate junior Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) took the tough loss, falling to 5-3 on the season. She allowed six runs but only one earned after a season-high four errors for the Bulldogs. Houser struck out three in her seventh complete game of the season. UNCP senior Selena Ashley (Walkertown, N.C.) picked up the win, striking out three while walking three to move to 6-2. 

Game Two: #10 Wingate 5, UNC Pembroke 1

The Bulldogs bounced back in game two thanks to a strong pitching performance from sophomore Misty Doran (Century, Fla.) to improve to 3-0 this season after a loss. Helms, Laskey, and Hendrix each contributed two hits with one run scored. Usiak added two RBI in the win.

The Braves once again took the lead with a single run in the third on a Bulldog error. Wingate would respond in a big way, with three runs in the bottom half. Following a RBI groundout from senior shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.), Usiak delivered the big blow in the inning, with a two-RBI double to give the Bulldogs a 3-1 lead.

Wingate added two more in the fifth on RBI singles from junior outfielder Jordan Wilson (Gastonia, N.C.) and Doran to make it 5-1 after five innings. Doran would shut down the Braves in the final two innings to get the complete game win. She stayed perfect on the year, improving to 3-0 after allowing five hits and one unearned run. UNC Pembroke junior Katie Saunders (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) took the loss, falling to 4-2.

Wingate has the week off before heading to Columbus, Ga. on March 7 for the Cougar Classic. The Bulldogs will play Palm Beach Atlantic twice along with single games against Armstrong State and Columbus State. UNC Pembroke will also be in action next Saturday, hosting Coker College.