Columbus, Ga.----The 13th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs won their opening game 8-0 over Palm Beach Atlantic on day one of the Cougar Classic Saturday morning. The Bulldogs dropped the second game of the day 9-2 against Armstrong State. Wingate moves to 10-4 on the year.

Game One: #13 Wingate 8, Palm Beach Atlantic 0 (5 innings)

Junior infielder Emily Usiak (Matthews, N.C.) went two-for-three with three RBI to lead the offense against PBA, while junior right-hander Stacey Houser (Mooresville, N.C.) tossed a three-hit shutout. Sophomore infielder Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) added a homer and two RBI, while senior shortstop Alexis Burrell (Chesapeake, Va.) was one-for-three with two RBI and a run scored.

Wingate jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when junior infielder Mellena Helms (Concord, N.C.) started the game with a double, then moved to third on an error. Usiak followed with a two-run single to put the 'Dogs on top.

The Bulldogs added five more runs in the second. McLaurin started things by connecting on her first homer of the year, a two-run shot to left center to make it 4-0. Burrell added a two-run single, while another Usiak RBI single made it 7-0.

Wingate added one more run in the third when McLaurin reached on a one-out single, then scored on an RBI double from junior outfielder Shannen Adams (Ayden, N.C.).

Houser allowed just three hits in her five innings of work, striking out five and walking three to move to 6-3 on the year. Corrie Boggess took the loss, falling to 5-5. She allowed seven runs on six hits in two innings of work, striking out two and walking one.

Game Two: Armstrong 9, #13 Wingate 2

Autumn Parrish and Jane Trzaska each had a homer and four RBI to lead the Armstrong attack. Michelle Breen also homered for the Pirates.

Usiak had a homer to lead the Wingate attack, while freshman outfielder Morgan Hendrix (Mocksville, N.C.) was one-for-three with an RBI. Adams went one-for-two with a run scored for the Bulldogs.

Wingate took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third when Adams reached on a one-out single, then scored on a Hendrix RBI single. The Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead in the fourth when Usiak connected on her third homer of the year, a solo shot to right.

Armstrong answered with a run in the fourth, cutting the lead in half on a solo homer from Parrish. The Pirates added five more runs in the fifth to take the lead. Parrish tied the game with an RBI single, while a three-run homer from Trzaska put Armstrong on top. Breen added a solo homer to make it 6-2.

The Pirates scored three more runs in the sixth. A two-run double from Parrish started the scoring, while an RBI single from Trzaska made the final margin 9-2.

Trzaska got the win to move to 5-3. She allowed two runs on four hits in seven innings of work, striking out four. Houser took the loss, allowing five runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings, striking out two and walking four.

Wingate is back in action Sunday, playing two more games in Columbus. The 'Dogs face Palm Beach Atlantic at 9:30 a.m., then face Columbus State at 1:30 p.m.