Due West, S.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning of game two Saturday afternoon, salvaging a doubleheader split against Erskine College in NCAA Division II softball action. The Flying Fleet used a six-run sixth inning to prevail 7-1 in game one, while the 'Dogs rallied for a 5-3 victory in game two. Both teams are 1-1 on the season.

Game One: Erskine 7, Wingate 1

The Flying Fleet needed just one hit in their six-run sixth inning, taking advantage of five walks, two errors and a hit batsman. Sydney Smith led the Erskine offense in game one with a pair of RBI. Brittany Rhinehardt went two-for-two with a run scored, while Sydney Grimes, Jacquie Hill and Julia Cole each had an RBI and a run scored for the Flying Fleet.

Junior first baseman Mikayla Hannah (Lancaster, S.C.) homered to lead the Wingate attack. Sophomore outfielder Naomi Sapp (Guyton, Ga.) added a pair of hits for the Bulldogs in game one.

Erskine took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Grime drew a leadoff walk, went to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a sacrifice, then scored on Smith's RBI single to left center.

Wingate tied it in the top of the fifth when Hannah blasted the first pitch of the frame over the fence in dead center, making it 1-1.

The Flying Fleet sent 12 batters to the plate in the sixth, scoring six times on just one hit, which was a one-out double to right center from Lydia Trexler. That was followed by a pair of walks to load the bases, while a hit batsman and two more walks gave Erskine a 4-1 lead. Back-to-back errors put the Flying Fleet on top by six, while one more bases-loaded walk made the final margin 7-1.

Candace Fitch got the win in relief to move to 1-0 on the year. She struck out two in a pair of shutout innings in relief without allowing a hit. Sophomore right-hander Rachel Weidner (Greenville, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 0-1. She allowed five runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings, striking out nine but walking five.

Game Two:  Wingate 5, Erskine 3

Senior infielder Misty Doran (Century, Fla.) homered in game two for the Bulldogs, while Sapp and senior outfielder Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) each had an RBI and a run scored. Freshman Jessica VonCannon (Locust, N.C.) collected a pair of hits and a run scored for the Bulldogs, while classmate Emma Swenson (Matthews, N.C.) also had a hit and a run scored.

The game was scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, when Erskine struck for three runs. A Cole single, followed by a Wingate error put runners on second and third for the Flying Fleet. Baylee Brown delivered with a pinch-hit three-run homer to give Erskine a 3-0 advantage.

Wingate cut into the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Doran connected on a solo shot to center, making it 3-1.

That was the score in the top of the seventh. VonCannon started the frame with a single, then moved to second when Swenson lined a single down the left field line. VonCannon scored when Sapp ripped an RBI double to left center to make it 3-2. Smith followed with an RBI single to left center, plating Swenson to tie it. Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) struck out with runners on second and third, but the pitch got away from Erskine catcher Destiny Miller, who then threw the ball high down to first, allowing Sapp and Smith to score to make it 5-3.

Freshman right-hander Aubrey Reep (Eastover, N.C.) got the win, moving to 1-0. She went the distance, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out seven. Finch took the loss for the Flying Fleet in game two, allowing four runs on four hits in 2 1/3 innings.

Wingate is at home for its next three doubleheaders, starting Tuesday when the Bulldogs host Belmont Abbey at 1 p.m.