Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University freshman infielder Savanna Brooks had three homers and nine RBI Thursday afternoon, leading the Bulldogs to a pair of victories on opening day in NCAA Division II softball action. Wingate won both games by an 8-4 score over visiting Augusta University, moving to 2-0 on the season. The Jaguars fall to 2-2 overall.

GAME ONE | Wingate 8 Augusta 4

KEY STATS

- Augusta out-hit Wingate 10-8
- Each team had three extra-base hits; the Jaguars had two of the three homers
- The Bulldogs had all three stolen bases in the contest
- The Jaguars committed the lone error of game one
- Augusta left 10 on base; Wingate stranded two
- WU pitching struck out five and walked two; AU had seven strikeouts and two walks

KEY BULLDOGS

- Brooks was two-for-two with a double, homer and four RBI to lead the offense
- Ragan Liles went two-for-three with an RBI and two runs scored
- Sara Stroud added a hit and three runs scored
- Hannah Stevens and Danielle Kirchhofer each contributed a hit and run scored
- Sydney Kale went 6 1/3 innings to earn the win

FIRST INNING

- Stroud drew a lead-off walk, then went to third on a Liles single
- Stroud scored on a wild pitch, while a Brooks sacrifice fly plated Liles

SECOND INNING

- A Madelyn Lilly two-run single in the top of the second tied it at two

THIRD INNING

- Kirchhofer and Stroud started the third with back-to-back singles
- Stroud scored on an Augusta error to put the 'Dogs back on top
- Brooks followed by connecting on her first collegiate homer, a two-run blast to left to make it 5-2

FOURTH INNING

- The Bulldogs struck for three more runs in the fourth
- Stevens led off the frame with a single, then stole second
- Stroud drew a one-out walk, while Stevens scored on a double-steal with Stroud
- Liles followed with an RBI single to plate Stroud
- A Brooks RBI double drove home Liles to make it 8-2

FIFTH INNING

- Paige Patterson's solo homer in the top of the frame cut the lead to five

SEVENTH INNING

- Patterson connected on another solo shot in the seventh to make the final margin 8-4

WRAPUP

- Kale got the win, moving to 1-0 on the year
- She allowed four runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out five
- Marry Tillman took the loss, allowing eight runs on eight hits in six innings, striking out seven

GAME TWO | Wingate 8 Augusta 4

KEY STATS

- Wingate out-hit Augusta 8-3
- The 'Dogs had four of the six extra-base hits and three of the five homers
- The Bulldogs left five on base; the Jaguars stranded three
- Wingate had the lone error of game two
- WU pitching struck out eight and walked three; Augusta had four strikeouts and four walks

KEY BULLDOGS

- Brooks was two-for-two with two homers, five RBI and three runs scored
- Laney McLaurin added a homer and two RBI
- Liles was one-for-three with an RBI and a run scored
- Heaven Maness and Savannah Lampley each contributed a hit and run scored
- Kirchhofer allowed just one run in five innings of work

FIRST INNING

- Liles ripped a one-out double to left center
- Brooks followed with her second homer of the day, a two-run blast over the scoreboard to make it 2-0

THIRD INNING

- Brooks drew a one-out walk
- McLaurin followed with a lined shot over the fence in left center to double the Wingate lead

FOURTH INNING

- Two walks and a Lampley single loaded the bases for the Bulldogs
- Liles plated Stroud with a sacrifice fly to give WU a five-run lead
- Brooks followed with a three-run bomb down the left field line to make it 8-0

FIFTH INNING

- A Summer Frye solo shot got Augusta on the board

SIXTH INNING

- Bailee Roberts connected on a three-run shot to make the final margin 8-4

WRAPUP

- Kirchhofer got the win, moving to 1-0
- She allowed a run on two hits in five innings, striking out five without a walk
- Hali Scott registered three strikeouts in two innings of work in her WU debut
- Maggie McBrayer took the loss, falling to 1-1
- She allowed eight runs on eight hits in six innings, striking out four and walking four

UP NEXT

- Wingate is back in action Saturday, hosting a doubleheader against Davis & Elkins at 12 p.m.
- The 'Dogs host Southern Wesleyan for a pair of games Monday at noon