Columbus, Ga.----The Wingate University Bulldogs opened the 2023 NFCA Lead-Off Classic by picking up a pair of victories Friday afternoon in NCAA Division II softball action. Wingate started the day with a 4-1 victory over Embry-Riddle, while capping things with a 7-1 victory over West Chester. The Bulldogs push their winning streak to 10, improving to 14-4 overall.
GAME ONE | WINGATE 4 EMBRY-RIDDLE 1
KEY STATS
- Wingate out-hit Embry-Riddle 6-5
- The Eagles had three of the five extra-base hits; the 'Dogs had both homers
- The Bulldogs left nine on base; Embry-Riddle stranded six
- ERU committed three of the four errors in the contest
- The 'Dogs had two of the three stolen bases
- WU pitching struck out four and walked two; ERU had five strikeouts and three walks
KEY BULLDOGS
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Heaven Maness went two-for-four with a homer to lead the offense
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Hannah Stevens also homered for the Bulldogs
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Hannah Reeves and
Savanna Brooks added an RBI apiece
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Raelynn Kramer added a pair of hits
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Jillian Thomas and
Kaylee Hobgood each scored a run
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Hali Scott allowed an unearned run in five innings to earn the win
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Sydney Kale tossed two shutout frames to earn the save
SECOND INNING
- Stevens launched a solo homer to left to get the scoring started
FIFTH INNING
- A pair of errors and a Maness single loaded the bases for Wingate
- Reeves plated Thomas with an RBI groundout
- Brooks followed with a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0
- A pair of passed balls in the bottom of the frame allowed the Eagles to get on the board
SEVENTH INNING
- Maness connected on a solo shot to start the seventh to put the 'Dogs back on top by three
WRAPUP
- Scott got the win, moving to 4-2 on the year
- She allowed an unearned run on four hits in five innings, striking out four
- Kale allowed one hit in two scoreless frames to notch her first save of the season
- Shelby Morse took the loss, allowing three runs on five hits in six innings, striking out four
GAME TWO | WINGATE 7 WEST CHESTER 1
KEY STATS
- Each team had five hits and one extra-base hit
- The Rams committed three of the five errors on the day
- Each team left five on base
- WU pitching struck out 12 without a walk; WCU had four strikeouts, three walks and two hit batters
KEY BULLDOGS
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Raechel Cutcher struck out a career-high 12 in seven innings without allowing an earned run
- Maness was two-for-two with a double and four RBI
- Thomas went two-for-three with two RBI and two runs scored
- Hobgood added a hit and a run scored
- Reeves, Brooks, Kramer and Stevens each scored a run in the contest
SECOND INNING
- A pair of walks and a fielder's choice loaded the bases
- Thomas delivered a two-run single to get the 'Dogs on the board
- Maness added a three-run double to left to make it 5-0
FOURTH INNING
- A Wingate error allowed the Rams to get on the board, cutting the lead to four
SIXTH INNING
- Stevens reached on an error to start the sixth
- She scored on a Thomas single and another Ram error
- A Maness sacrifice fly plated Thomas to make it 7-1
WRAPUP
- Cutcher got the win, moving to 5-1 on the year
- She allowed an unearned run on five hits in seven innings, striking out 12 without a walk
- Cutcher has at least 10 strikeouts in three of her six starts this season
- Atonia Brown took the loss, allowing four runs on two hits in 1 2/3 innings, walking two
UP NEXT
- Wingate has three more games in Georgia this weekend, with a pair of games Saturday
- The Bulldogs will face Wilmington at 12:30, then take on Columbus State at 3 p.m.
- The 'Dogs finish the weekend Sunday at 9 a.m. against Gannon
