Mars Hill, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs allowed just two runs in their doubleheader sweep at Mars Hill University on Friday, extending their win streak to a season-high eight games in South Atlantic Conference softball action. Wingate won 4-1 in the opener, then rolled to a 12-1 five-inning victory in game two to improve to 32-15 overall and 14-6 in the SAC, while the Lions fall to 6-28 overall and 3-17 in league play.
GAME ONE | Wingate 4, Mars Hill 1

KEY STATS

- Wingate out-hit Mars Hill 7-4
- The Bulldogs recorded five of the six extra-base hits and two of three homers in the game
- The Lions left nine runners on the bases; WU stranded five
- Each team committed an error
- The 'Dogs had each of the three stolen bases
- Each pitching staff struck out six and walked one

KEY BULLDOGS

- Sydney Kale went two-for-four with a homer and a double, two RBI and two runs scored
- The sophomore also struck out six in a complete game in the circle
- Sara Stroud was also two-for-four with a homer
- Hannah Stevens added an RBI double
- Hannah Reeves also doubled in the victory

THIRD INNING

- Heaven Maness walked and stole second to open the third
- Kale got the 'Dogs on the board with a two-run bomb to right center

FOURTH INNING

- The Lions answered with a solo home run of their own in the fourth to cut the deficit in half

FIFTH INNING

- Kale led off the fifth with a double
- Stevens' two-out double scored Kale to return Wingate's two-run advantage

SIXTH INNING

- Stroud's solo shot down the left field line gave the Bulldogs an insurance run in the sixth

WRAPUP

- Kale got the win in the seven-inning effort, improving to 9-9 on the year
- She allowed one run on four hits and one walk, striking out six
- Kayla Gallagher took the loss for the Lions, also pitching a complete game
- She allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk, striking out six

GAME TWO | Wingate 12, Mars Hill 1 (5 innings)

KEY STATS

- Wingate out-hit Mars Hill 14-2
- The Bulldogs had four of the five extra-base hits including two of three homers
- WU left six runners on the bases; MHU stranded three
- The Lions committed all three errors in the contest
- Wingate pitching struck out seven and walked none; Mars Hill's staff struck out three and walked two

KEY BULLDOGS

- Savanna Brooks went two-for-three with a double and a homer, driving in four and scoring two herself
- Stevens hit her first collegiate home run in a two-for-three day with three RBI and two runs scored
- Maness drove in a run on a double
- Kale had two more hits in game number two
- Hali Scott was two-for-three with a walk and two runs scored
- The freshman also struck out seven in five innings
- Laney McLaurin and Reeves pitched in multi-hit games for the Bulldogs

SECOND INNING

- After Scott got aboard to lead off the second inning, Brooks blasted a two-run home run to center field, giving the Bulldogs an early 2-0 lead
- Stevens later scored on a throwing error
- Farley Park homered to center to lead off the bottom half, bringing the score to 3-1

THIRD INNING

- Wingate exploded for five runs in the third inning
- After Reeves and Scott got on base to start the inning, Brooks doubled to right center, scoring Reeves
- McLaurin drove in Scott on an RBI single
- Stevens' three-run shot put the 'Dogs up 8-1 through three

FOURTH INNING

- Brooks produced runs in her third straight plate appearance, driving in Kale on a sac fly to center in the fourth

FIFTH INNING

- Maness' two-out double put the 'Dogs' 10th run on the board
- Kale kept the ball rolling with an RBI single down the right field line
- Alyssa Hall scored on a fielding error to cap the scoring

WRAPUP

- Scott earned the win for Wingate, moving to 9-4 on the season
- She allowed a run on two hits, striking out seven and walking none in five innings of work
- Deja Smith took the loss for MHU, allowing 10 earned runs on 14 hits in five innings

UP NEXT

- Wingate returns home for their final two doubleheaders of the regular season, started Wednesday against Lenoir-Rhyne at 1 p.m.
- The Bulldogs host #15 Lincoln Memorial to campus for their regular season finale on Saturday, April 23