Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University sophomore third baseman Heaven Maness hit a home run in each game, while three Bulldog pitchers held Tusculum University scoreless on the way to a South Atlantic Conference sweep over the Pioneers Saturday. Wingate won the first game 3-0 and the second game 10-0 in five innings. Wingate is 19-6 overall and 2-0 in the SAC. Tusculum is 13-8 overall and 0-2 in the SAC.
Maness had all three RBI in the first game, while Wingate posted 10 runs on nine hits in the nightcap. Raechel Cutcher and Sydney Kale held Tusculum to no runs on three hits in the opener. Danielle Kirchhofer pitched a five-inning complete game in the second game, scattering five hits in her shutout effort.
GAME ONE | Wingate 13, Davis & Elkins 0 (five innings)
KEY STATS
- Wingate held a 7-3 advantage in hits
- The Bulldogs had the contest's only extra-base hit (a home run)
- Wingate collected all four stolen bases
- Both the WU and the TU pitching staffs had 10 strikeouts each
- The Pioneers made the game's only error
KEY BULLDOGS
- Maness was three-for-three with a homer, a stolen base and three RBI
- Sara Stroud was two-for-three with two stolen bases
- Both Maness and Stroud scored two runs each
FIRST INNING
- Maness hit the first pitch she saw over the wall in left centerfield
- The solo homer gave the hosts a 1-0 edge
THIRD INNING
- With two outs, Stroud singled and stole second
- Maness roped a single to left field, scoring Stroud to make the score 2-0
SIXTH INNING
- In a repeat of the third inning, Stroud singled and stole second
- Maness followed with a single to the same spot in left field to score Stroud
- Maness stole second and one out later, moved to third on Laney McLaurin's single
- Pinch-runner Kirchhofer entered the game and promptly stole second
- Hannah Reeves' sacrifice fly to deep center field scored Maness
- Kirchhofer moved to third on the sacrifice fly
- She scored on Kale's infield hit
WRAPUP
- Cutcher improved to 5-0 overall with the victory
- In 5 2/3 innings, she allowed three hits, striking out seven and walking one
- Kale claimed her first save of the season with 1.1 innings of hitless work
- She struck out three and walked none
- Emily Sappington was the loser for Tusculum
- In six complete innings, Sappington allowed five earned runs on seven hits
- She matched Wingate's staff with 10 strikeouts
GAME TWO | Wingate 10, Tusculum 0 (five innings)
KEY STATS
- Wingate scored 10 runs on nine hits
- Eight WU players hit safely in the nightcap
- The Bulldogs blasted three home runs and added a double for good measure
- Tusculum managed only five singles
- Neither team committed an error
KEY BULLDOGS
- Stroud was two-for-three with a home run and two RBI
- Stroud and Savannah Lampley scored two runs each
- Maness and Ragan Liles added home runs for the hosts
THIRD INNING
- Lampley singled to start the frame
- Stroud followed with a bomb to left-center field to plate two runs
- Maness followed with a solo homer to left field
- Maness' second homer of the day gave Wingate a 3-0 lead
FIFTH INNING
- The Bulldogs scored seven runs on six hits to send their fans home happy
- Savanna Brooks and Hali Scott each contributed an RBI single to start the scoring
- Reeves' two-run single made the tally 7-0 Wingate
- Kale doubled to move pinch-runner Alyssa Hall to third
- Liles' three-run homer scored Hall and Kale to end the ball game
WRAPUP
- Kirchhofer moved to 5-0 overall with her complete-game triumph
- She scattered five singles, striking out three and walking none
- Kirchhofer stranded two TU runners each in the second, third and fifth innings
- Ireland Cavanaugh took the loss for Tusculum
- In four innings, she surrendered seven earned runs on six hits
- Cavanaugh struck out four and walked one
UP NEXT
- Wingate makes a quick turn-around Sunday, visiting UNC Pembroke for a 12 p.m. DH
- The Bulldogs return to SAC play Tuesday, hosting UVA Wise at 1 p.m.
- Wingate entertains Kutztown (Pa.) Thursday at 1 p.m.
- The Bulldogs visit Newberry for SAC twin bill Saturday, March 12 at 1 p.m.
