Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University freshman first baseman Mary Claire Coyne (Knoxville, Tenn.) had a triple, homer, four RBI and two runs scored Tuesday afternoon, leading the Bulldogs to a doubleheader sweep over visiting Catawba College in South Atlantic Conference softball action. Wingate won the opener 2-0, while prevailing 5-4 in game two to improve to 25-21 overall and 10-8 in the SAC. The Indians fall to 11-38 overall and 2-16 in league play.

Game One: Wingate 2, Catawba 0

Sophomore right-hander Rachel Weidner (Greenville, N.C.) tossed a two-hit shutout, while sophomores Naomi Sapp (Guyton, Ga.) and Taylor Wells (Chesterfield, Va.) each drove in a run to lead the Bulldogs. Coyne went two-for-three with a triple and a run scored, while senior infielder Misty Doran (Century, Fla.) added a double and a run scored.

Wingate got on the board in the bottom of the third. Coyne started the inning with a triple to center, then scored on an RBI fielder's choice from Wells to make it 1-0.

The Bulldogs added to their lead in the fourth. Doran doubled off the fence in left center to start the inning, then scored on an RBI single from Sapp to make it 2-0.

That was plenty for Weidner, who tossed her eighth shutout of the season. The sophomore retired the first 11 hitters of the game, losing a perfect game on a two-out single in the fourth. She retired the next seven hitters until a lead-off single in the top of the seventh.

Weidner moves to 13-10 on the year, allowing just two singles in seven innings of work, striking out eight without walking a batter. Brooke Walser took the loss, falling to 8-16. She allowed two runs on eight hits in six innings, striking out one and walking two. Catawba left just two runners on base in game one, while the Bulldogs stranded 10.

Game Two: Wingate 5, Catawba 4

Coyne had two hits including a grand slam, driving in four runs to lead the Wingate attack in game two. Freshman catcher Jordan Floyd (Wilmington, N.C.) added a hit and an RBI, while Sapp and seniors Katie McLaurin (Laurinburg, N.C.) and Olivia Smith (Chesapeake, Va.) each contributed two hits and a run scored for the Bulldogs.

Katherine Shumaker had a homer and three RBI to lead the Catawba offense in game two. Leah Huggins also drove in a run for the Indians.

Huggins gave Catawba a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with a two-out RBI double.

Wingate answered in the bottom of the second, loading the bases via a walk and back-to-back singles from Smith and Sapp. Coyne came to the plate with two outs and cleared the bases with one swing of the bat, connecting on her fifth homer of the year and first career grand slam to give the 'Dogs a 4-1 lead.

McLaurin led off the fifth with a single, then scored on Floyd's RBI single to give the Bulldogs a four-run advantage.

Catawba scored three times in the top of the seventh. A walk and infield single put runners on first and second for Shumaker, who connected on a three-run homer to center to get the Indians within a run. A double and hit batsman put two more on base with two outs, but a lineout ended the game, finishing off the Wingate sweep.

Freshman right-hander Aubrey Reep (Eastover, N.C.) got the win, moving to 12-11 on the season. She allowed three earned runs on nine hits in seven innings of work, striking out four and walking three. Kaylee Cook took the loss, falling to 2-17. She allowed five runs on 10 hits in four innings of work, striking out one and walking two.

Wingate is back in action Saturday, wrapping up the regular season with a doubleheader at Anderson at 1 p.m. The Bulldogs were originally scheduled to play at Limestone on Wednesday, but that doubleheader has been cancelled due to weather.