VIDEO | Jamie Stanclift Interview
VIDEO | Hannah Reeves Interview

Wingate, N.C.----The 2023 Wingate University softball season gets underway this weekend, with the Bulldogs hosting a doubleheader against Barton Sunday at noon. Wingate is coming off a big 2022 season, going 37-18 overall and 17-7 in the SAC, earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament and advancing to the final day of regionals.

Wingate blasted a program-record 68 homers in 2022, scoring 317 runs on the year. The Bulldogs return 10 of their top 11 hitters from last year's squad, and all four pitchers. Wingate was picked fourth in the preseason SAC poll, with six players earning preseason all-conference honors.

"Coming into this season, the team is hungry," head coach Jamie Stanclift says. "Ever since the NCAA Tournament experience last year, the team saw what we were capable of. We continued to get better as the year went on, and we just want to keep that trend going. We haven't taken any steps back, haven't had to slow down at all for our freshmen coming in. I think that experience last year provided a lot of clarity for everyone on where we want to be at the end of the year, but more importantly, how to get there."

PITCHERS

Wingate returns all four pitchers from last year's squad, while bringing a pair of freshmen. Three of the four pitchers have earned preseason All-SAC honors. Sydney Kale is a preseason first team All-SAC Utility/Pitcher, with Hali Scott earning third team accolades at the same spot. Raechel Cutcher is a preseason third team All-SAC pitcher.

Kale threw a team-high 127 innings last year, picking up 10 wins while posting a 2.97 ERA with 131 strikeouts and just 13 walks. Cutcher went 12-1 on the season with a 2.74 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 95 innings of work. Scott posted a 3.91 ERA in her freshman season, going 9-4 with 72 strikeouts in 71 innings. Danielle Kirchhofer was 5-1 with a 1.87 ERA, striking out 52 in 49 innings of work. Jillian Thomas and Jamie Horodecki are the two freshmen pitchers for the 'Dogs this year.

"Returning all four of our pitchers from last year, then adding the two freshmen in, gives us so many options in the circle this year," Stanclift says. "Sydney is a lefty with great command that had some dominant outings last year. Raechel throws with more velocity and her off-speed stuff really came along last year. We will rely on their experience in the circle heavily this year. Hali will have a better mix to offer this season and really throws batters off, makes them uncomfortable. We are expecting her to be throwing with more confidence this year. Danielle throws to parts of the zone that complement the other pitchers, and she's a great competitor in the circle. We are looking for Jillian and Jamie to provide important depth and competitiveness to our pitching staff."

OUTFIELD

The Bulldogs have plenty of options in the outfield, with Savannah Lampley and freshman Kaylee Hobgood leading the way, along with Kale, Ragan Liles, Alyssa Hall, Katy Kahlich, Thomas and Bella Kraemer.

Lampley hit .327 in her first season at Wingate in 2022, with eight doubles, three homers, 15 RBI and 27 runs scored. Kale led the Bulldogs with a .390 average, connecting on four homers and 10 doubles while driving in 20 runs and scoring 20 times. Liles started 50 games in the outfield for the Bulldogs last year, registering six doubles, a pair of homers and 17 RBI, scoring 26 runs.

"Lampley provides essential leadership in the outfield," Stanclift says. "She can play anywhere and has a strong, accurate arm. We are excited about the speed that Kaylee adds to our outfield. Sydney will have some time in the outfield when she's not pitching. She provides a big bat to our lineup from the left side, and also brings good experience and leadership to the outfield. Ragan started in center last year and is extremely reliable, consistent, and versatile. Alyssa is a senior and has really had a breakthrough year so far, having a huge fall for us and has then carried that momentum into the spring. Katy is another upperclassman that had a big breakthrough fall and should add to our outfield depth. Jillian and Bella are also solid in the outfield that could play multiple spots out there for us. Hali could also see some time in right field, getting her bat into the lineup will be important. She's worked hard to develop as an outfielder."

INFIELD

At first base will be Hannah Reeves and Laney McLaurin. Reeves is a preseason All-SAC honoree, hitting .297 last season with eight homers, five doubles and 24 RBI, scoring 22 runs. McLaurin hit .276 last season with four doubles, eight homers and 39 RBI.

"Hannah and Laney bring a ton of experience and leadership to our infield," Stanclift says. "Hali and Sydney could both see time there when they're not pitching, if we need their bats in our lineup. All four of them are key, middle-of-the-lineup hitters that we'll count on to produce runs."

At second base will be Kirchhofer, along with Savanna Brooks. Kirchhofer hit .283 with a pair of homers and four doubles last season, driving in 14 runs. Brooks had an impressive freshman season at shortstop, hitting .294 with eight doubles and a team-best 11 homers last season, driving in a team-high 52 runs while also scoring 44 times. She is a preseason All-SAC honoree.

"We may see Brooks at third base this season, but she will also see time at shortstop and second as well," Stanclift says. "She is an incredibly solid and versatile infielder. Danielle and Savanna are polished middle infielders that provide valuable, vocal leadership to the team. Hannah Stevens and Jamie are also competing and could see some opportunities at second base."

Also contributing at third base in addition to Brooks will be Stevens, Liles and Raelynn Kramer.

"Hannah Stevens has also done a tremendous job at third base when she's not playing catcher," Stanclift says. "Ragan and Raelynn are two other upperclassman that can also help us there."

At shortstop will be the All-SAC and All-Region honoree Heaven Maness. The 2021 SAC Freshman of the Year hit .352 as a sophomore, with 12 doubles, three triples and nine homers, driving in 40 runs, scoring 44 times and stealing 21 bases in 21 attempts.

Heaven will likely be making the move from third base to shortstop," Stanclift says. "She's been so good for us at third base the last two years, and we have no doubt she'll do a tremendous job at shortstop as
well, plus her bat and speed will be key parts of our offense. Savanna did a great job at short as a
freshman last year and is still a very solid option for us there."

Raelynn Kramer is back at catcher this season after missing all of the 2022 season due to injury. Stevens will also see time behind the plate, after starting 50 games as a freshman, hitting .269 with 10 doubles, a triple, three homers and 24 RBI. Kramer started 27 games as a catcher in 2021, collecting five doubles and three homers while driving in 16.

"Raelynn is back this year and is even better than she was before," Stanclift says. "Hannah Stevens did a tremendous job behind the plate as a freshman last year with the support of Ragan and Katy. The depth we have behind the plate this year will be a huge advantage."

Wingate opens up the 2023 season this weekend, hosting a Sunday doubleheader against Barton at noon. The Bulldogs then travel to Florida to play six games at the Panther Invitational, taking on Embry-Riddle, Florida Tech, Tampa and Rollins. Wingate returns home in the middle of February for three doubleheaders in a five-day stretch before heading to Georgia for the NFCA Division II Lead-Off Classic to take on Embry-Riddle, West Chester, Wilmington, Columbus State and Gannon. The 'Dogs open SAC play at home on March 1 against Newberry.