Softball | 2/1/2017 12:04:00 PM

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs begin the 2017 season this Saturday, traveling to Erskine College for a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Wingate is coming off a 32-16 season in 2016, going 15-7 in SAC play. The Bulldogs are looking for their first NCAA Tournament bid since 2014, when Wingate earned an at-large bid for the second consecutive season.

The Bulldogs will have a new look in 2017, after losing six everyday starters and a four-year starter in the circle. Of the returners, Wingate has four preseason all-conference honorees, led by first team selections Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) and Misty Doran (Century, Fla.). Sophomores Naomi Sapp (Guyton, Ga.) and Rachel Weidner (Greenville, N.C.) are preseason second team all-conference selections. Wingate was picked to finish third in the preseason SAC coaches poll.

"I think this year we know that we're a very young team," head coach Lani Shaffer Ries says, entering her fifth year as the Wingate head coach. "With the team chemistry we have, we're going to surprise a lot of people. We will only continue to grow and get better every game we play this year. By the middle to end of the year I expect us to hit our stride."

Position-by-Position Breakdown

Pitchers
Shaffer Ries expects the sophomore Weidner and the freshman Aubrey Reep (Eastover, N.C.) to both be impactful starts for the Bulldogs. "I look for Rachel to come in and take charge, since she has a year under her belt," Shaffer Ries says. "She understands what she needs to do after a solid freshman year. She'll be taking Aubrey under her wing now that she's the veteran in the staff. They really complement each other well. Aubrey is a gamer. She will throw as many innings as we need, that's just the kind of competitor she is."

Weidner is a preseason second team All-SAC selection after going 11-4 during her freshman campaign. She registered 13 complete games and four shutouts on the year, collecting 101 strikeouts in 117 1/3 innings of work.

Infield
The senior Doran will be at third base for the Bulldogs. "Coming back from a strong junior season, we are looking for her to produce offensively like she did last year to go along with a stellar glove at third base," Shaffer Ries says.

Doran was an All-SAC and All-Region selection in 2016, hitting .297 with a team-best 10 homers and adding nine doubles while compiling a .545 slugging percentage and 90 total bases, ranking third in the SAC in homers, fourth in RBI and 10th in total bases.

At shortstop, Shaffer Reis looks to freshman Emma Swenson (Matthews, N.C.). "Emma has a cannon for an arm at shortstop," Shaffer Ries says. "She is very strong defensively while also providing a powerful bat in the lineup. She has great range at shortstop and we look for her to really take control of the infield."

The senior McLaurin will be at second base for the Bulldogs. "Katie is healthy this year after the back injury last year," Shaffer Ries says. "She's healthier than ever, so we expect a great senior year from her. We'll look for her to make a big impact offensively, while also expecting solid work at second base."

The Bulldogs turn to another freshman at first base in Mary Claire Coyne (Knoxville, Tenn.). "Mary Claire has a big bat and we'll count on her as a middle-of-the lineup hitter," Shaffer Ries says. "She is a smooth first baseman that can pick anything. She has plenty of power at the plate and should be a big part of the offense."

Junior Mikayla Hannah (Lancaster, S.C.) will also see some time at first base. She hit .257 with two homers in the 2015 season, then took the 2016 season off. She may also see some time as the Designated Player, along with Reep.

The Bulldogs have a pair of options at catcher in freshman Jordan Floyd (Wilmington, N.C.) and sophomore Taylor Wells (Chesterfield, Va.). "Jordan is another big bat in our lineup and is also vocal behind the plate," Shaffer Ries says. "She could also see some time in the outfield and will be an important utility player for us. Taylor is great defensively, works well with the pitching staff and has a great arm behind the plate while also providing another powerful option in the lineup."

Wells appeared in 22 games during her freshman season in 2016, making 21 starts, collecting 11 hits on the year.

Outfield
In left field will be freshman Jessica VonCannon (Locust, N.C.). "Jessica stepped up in the fall with her bat and was also impressive defensively," Shaffer Ries says. "She has great range in the outfield while also being a great contact hitter at the plate."

The sophomore Sapp will be in center field for the second straight year. "Naomi is that vocal leader in the outfield, taking charge out there and will also be our lead-off hitter this year," Shaffer Ries says. "We are expecting an even stronger sophomore season after a very impressive freshman campaign."

Sapp earned honorable mention all-conference accolades during her freshman season, starting all 48 games while finishing second on the team with a  .368 batting average, adding six doubles, four triples and two homers, driving in 23 runs while scoring 26 times.

Wingate has a couple of options in right field in senior Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) and freshman Rebekah Woods (Sylvania, Ga.). "Olivia is a senior leader and a good number two hitter in the order," Shaffer Ries says. "She is solid defensively and a very smart base-runner. Rebekah has great energy and very good range covering the gaps and the lines. She is a solid contact hitter for us and another great vocal leader."

After opening the season at Erskine this weekend, the Bulldogs will come home for three straight doubleheaders, beginning Tuesday, Feb. 7, hosting Belmont Abbey at 1 p.m. Wingate welcomes Mount Olive to town Saturday, Feb. 11, while hosting Francis Marion for a doubleheader Sunday at 1 p.m.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, consistently ranked as a top 10 "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,200 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 35 minors, 12 career concentrations, nine pre-professional programs, master's degrees in accounting, business, education, physician assistant studies and sport management and doctorates in education, pharmacy and physical therapy.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 10 years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 88 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate is number one in this millennium with 88 Academic All-America® honorees. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 97 lifetime Academic All-America® picks. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.