Wingate, N.C.----- Wingate University sophomore infielder Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) and freshman outfielder Morgan Hendrix (Mocksville, N.C.) each had five hits and combined to score five runs on the day as the Bulldogs beat Mars Hill University in a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at the Wingate Softball Complex. Wingate took game one 8-0 in five innings while winning game two 7-3. The Bulldogs move to 15-9 overall and into a tie for first place in the SAC at 5-1. The Lions fall to 4-13 overall and remain winless in SAC softball at 0-4.
Game One: Wingate 8, Mars Hill 0 (5 innings)
McLaurin went two-for-two with a run scored and Hendrix drove in a run with two hits as well. Junior pitcher Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) allowed just three hits over five innings to keep the Lions off the scoreboard.
Junior infielder Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) walked to lead off the game for Wingate then came around to score on a passed ball to give the 'Dogs a 1-0 lead after the first inning. After both teams failed to score in the second and third, Wingate came alive in the fourth and fifth innings to break the game open.
After the Bulldogs loaded the bases, Helms brought in the first run on an RBI walk to score junior infielder Emily Usiak (Weddington, N.C.) and push the lead to two. Hendrix followed with an infield RBI single to shortstop to score McLaurin and make it 3-0 Wingate. Two errors by the Mars Hill defense allowed the final three runs of the inning to cross for the Bulldogs.
After another shutdown inning from Houser in the top of the fifth, the Bulldogs run ruled the Lions with two more runs in fifth. Junior outfielder Jordan Wilson (Belmont, N.C.) laced a single through the left side to bring home sophomore outfielder Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) while the third error of the day against MHU two batters later allowed Wilson to score and give the Bulldogs an 8-0 win in five innings.
Houser moved to 9-7 with the win, allowing just three singles while striking out five. Mars Hill freshman pitcher Chelsea Broughman (Conway, S.C.) fell to 0-5 after allowing eight runs (three earned) on five hits with five walks.
Game Two: Wingate 7, Mars Hill 3
McLaurin had three hits including her second homer of the season along with two runs scored. Hendrix also had three hits, while Helms went two-for-three with two runs and an RBI.
Wingate left three on base in the first two innings but broke through in the third with two runs to take the lead. Helms and Hendrix started the inning with consecutive singles. Senior infielder Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) lined an RBI single down the right field line to score Helms to make it 1-0. An error allowed Hendrix to score on the same play to make it 2-0 Bulldogs after three innings.
Senior pitcher Miranda Paul (Virginia Beach, Va.) worked perfect fourth and fifth innings to keep the Lions scoreless. Usiak backed up her pitcher by leading off the bottom of the fifth with her fifth home run of the season, a blast down the left field line to push the lead to three.
An RBI groundout from junior outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.) and RBI singles from Helms & junior catcher Taylor Laskey (Cherryville, N.C.) gave the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead after five complete.
McLaurin would cap the scoring for Wingate in the sixth with a towering solo homer off the scoreboard in left center. Her fourth career home run helped the 'Dogs lead 7-0 heading to the seventh. Mars Hill junior infielder Ellen Tillman (Havelock, N.C.) finally got the Lions on the board in the seventh with a three-run home to centerfield.
Paul (3-1) would finish off the game two batters later to pick up the complete game win. She allowed seven hits while striking out three on the afternoon. Sophomore pitcher Shelby Culler (Conway, S.C.) took the loss for Mars Hill to fall to 2-4 after allowing 13 hits and six runs.
The wins move the Bulldogs into a three-way tie for first place in the SAC with Carson-Newman and Anderson. Wingate will have a quick turnaround, playing Sunday at Limestone at 1 p.m. The matchup with the Saints is the first of four straight road games for the Bulldogs. Mars Hill hosts Carson-Newman on Tuesday.
