Greeneville, Tenn.----The 19th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs opened conference play with a 5-0 victory at Tusculum College Sunday afternoon, while the Pioneers rallied for a 3-2 victory in game two of a South Atlantic Conference softball doubleheader. Wingate moves to 11-9 overall and 1-1 in the SAC, while the Pioneers move to 9-9 overall and 1-1 in the conference.
Game One: #19 Wingate 5, Tusculum 0Junior right-hander
Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) tossed a complete-game one-hitter, while senior shortstop
Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) went two-for-four with a triple, RBI and run scored to lead the Wingate offense. Junior infielder
Emily Usiak (Matthews, N.C.) was two-for-four with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore infielder
Misty Doran (Century, Fla.) added a double and two RBI, while junior infielder
Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) was two-for-four with two runs scored.
Helms led off the game with a single, then scored on Burrell's RBI triple. Usiak followed with an RBI single to make it 2-0.
A pair of singles helped Wingate load the bases in the fourth, while Doran's RBI groundout put the 'Dogs on top by three.
Usiak led off the sixth inning with a double, then scored on Doran's RBI double to make it 4-0. Helms started the seventh with a single, then scored Wingate's fifth run of the day on a double play, making it 5-0.
That would be plenty for Houser. The 2014 All-SAC and All-Region selection allowed just one single in game one. Tusculum's only chance to score was in the third, when a single and walk put runners on first and second with one out. Houser induced a popout and groundout to end the threat. That started a stretch of seven straight retired. After a two-out walk in the fifth, Houser retired the final seven hitters of the game.
Houser moved to 7-6 of the year, allowing just the one single while striking out three and walking three, throwing 93 pitches.
Rachel Medley took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits in four innings of work.
Game Two: Tusculum 3, #19 Wingate 2Carolyn Williamson was one-for-four with two RBI to lead the Tusculum attack.
Brooke Rhodes went one-for-two with a run scored, while
Robin Stoner had a pair of hits for the Pioneers.
Sophomore outfielder
Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) went two-for-three with an RBI to lead the Wingate attack. Junior outfielder
Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) also had a hit and an RBI, while Helms added a pair of hits for the Bulldogs.
Tusculum took a 1-0 lead in the third when
Alix Kruel led off the frame with a walk, then scored on a Wingate error.
The Bulldogs responded with two runs in the fourth to take the lead. Burrell led off the frame with a single, then scored on Smith's RBI single. Adams followed with an RBI single to put Wingate on top 2-1.
That would be the scoring heading to the bottom of the seventh. Stoner led off the inning with a single, while back-to-back bunts put runners on second and third with one out. A walk loaded the bases, while a strikeout brought Williamson to the plate with two outs. She delivered the game-winning two-run infield single.
Eliza Davis got the win, allowing two runs on eight hits in seven innings of work, striking out one and walking one to move to 5-3 on the year. Houser took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Senior right-hander
Miranda Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.) went six innings without allowing an earned run on three hits, striking out one and walking three.
Wingate is back in action Tuesday, hosting a doubleheader against Queens at 1 p.m.
