VIDEO | Jamie Stanclift Interview
VIDEO | Savanna Brooks Interview

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open up the 2024 softball season this weekend, traveling to Conroe, Texas for the D2 First Pitch Invitational. The Bulldogs will play five games in Texas this weekend, while the first 17 games of the year will be on the road. Wingate is coming off a historic 48-17 season, going 18-6 in league play to win the regular season SAC title. The Bulldogs hosted the SAC and NCAA Southeast Regional tournaments, advancing to the Super Regionals for the first time in program history.

The Bulldogs are the preseason SAC favorites in 2024, picking up 11 of 12 possible first-place votes, with eight players earning preseason all-conference honors. Wingate is ranked 17th in the NFCA preseason top 25 poll. The 'Dogs return eight starters in the field and a pair of preseason All-SAC pitchers from last year's squad that set program records with 77 homers and 400 runs.

"This preseason has been one of our toughest, which has also made it our best," head coach Jamie Stanclift says. "It has flown by, which it usually does. We are excited to take the field and ready for some great competition. We are especially glad to have several people working their way back from injuries from last season and getting them back on the field. Our non-conference stretch of the season is going to really test us, especially with playing 17 road games before playing on our home field. This is an experienced group that I expect to be able to handle that challenge. We love playing at home, but I look forward to seeing us overcome that adversity playing on the road early in preparation for SAC conference play."

The Bulldogs ranked eighth nationally in runs last year, ranking 10th in hits and homers and 15th in slugging percentage. "Last year was fun, but it is over and we are in control of how we embrace the privilege of having that target on our back now," Stanclift says. "We learned a bit about that throughout the season last year as well and we are grateful for those lessons. We get to dictate our own expectations and how we go about achieving those, which is to put our head down and work every day; to strengthen our unit one day at a time. This is a group that I trust has fully bought into the process and invested in one another. They know that nothing is given and they are hungry to compete, prove themselves, and grow together."

The Bulldogs have plenty of experience returning from last year's squad. "I could name four or five different leaders depending on the day," Stanclift says. "One of the unique things about our group is they have learned that they all must lead in their own way. Every voice adds value and everyone must step up. Heaven Maness, Savanna Brooks, Raelynn Kramer and Hannah Stevens have all improved their vocal leadership on the field, which will be vital to our success. There are leadership qualities inside of everyone on the team and they are all doing a much better job of getting outside of themselves to provide whatever it is the team needs from them to be successful.

The Bulldogs are one of the most balanced teams in the nation, ranking in the top 20 in several offensive categories while also leading the SAC in ERA and WHIP while ranking second in strikeout-to-walk ratio. "Our strengths as a team are the valuable experience we have from the last few seasons, our resiliency, versatility, pitching depth, and most of all, the championship culture we are continuing to build in our program," Stanclift says.

PITCHERS

The Bulldogs return two of the top pitchers in the region in Raechel Cutcher and Sydney Kale, a pair of preseason All-SAC honorees. Cutcher went 17-10 with a 2.17 ERA and 190 strikeouts in 184 innings of work last season to earn All-SAC and All-Region accolades. She was incredible during the regionals, going 37 innings in three days while striking out 34 and walking just four, posting a 1.85 ERA and picking up all four wins for the 'Dogs. Kale went 7-1 with a 1.64 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 55 innings last year before a season-ending injury. Hali Scott made 31 appearances, going 11-3 with a 2.75 ERA and four saves, striking out 77 in 79 innings, while Jillian Thomas was 10-2 with a 3.04 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 76 innings. Jamie Horodecki made six appearances, going 2-0 with a 3.89 ERA. The Bulldogs also have a pair of newcomers looking to make an impact.

"Raechel, Sydney, Hali, Jillian, Jamie, Lily Huneycutt and Raleigh Dudley make for such a good group in the circle," Stanclift says. "Having Sydney back and keeping this group healthy will be huge for us."

CATCHERS

Both Wingate catchers are preseason All-SAC honorees, with Kramer earning first team honors and Hannah Stevens picking up third team accolades at the utility position. The duo will be joined by freshman Kaylee Furr. Kramer hit .286 with 11 homers and 39 RBI last year, scoring 30 runs. Stevens collected seven homers and nine doubles on the year, driving in 30 runs while scoring 23 times.

"We are incredibly strong behind the plate," Stanclift says. "Raelynn and Stevie are defensive game changers behind the plate and we expect Furr to add some exciting power to our lineup."

FIRST BASE

The 'Dogs have several options at first base, including Stevens and Kramer, along with Horodecki and Scott. Laney McLaurin and Savannah Lampley are both returning from injury and could both see time at first base. Lampley hit .267 in 34 games last year, with three doubles and 11 runs scored. Scott had a homer and a pair of doubles in 51 at-bats last year, driving in five runs and scoring six times. McLaurin missed all of 2023 due to injury. She hit .271 in 2022 with eight homers and 39 RBI.

"We have several options that I believe can do a good job here," Stanclift says. "The early part of our schedule will help us get some questions answered. Hannah, Jamie, Hali, Raelynn and Savannah once she gets cleared could all see time there. Laney is working hard to get back on the field soon as well, and she has a wealth of experience at the position. She has really stepped up to bring these others along and help them get comfortable with the position.

SECOND BASE

All-SAC honoree Savanna Brooks will once again be the primary second baseman for the Bulldogs, joined by Stevens and the freshman Huneycutt. Brooks hit a team-best .375 last year, while also leading the 'Dogs with 15 homers, 18 doubles and 64 RBI, posting a team-best .728 slugging percentage and .476 on-base percentage. She led the SAC with 57 runs scored.

SHORTSTOP

Heaven Maness will be the primary shortstop once again. The three-time All-SAC selection hit .325 with 13 homers, seven doubles and two triples last season, driving in 50 runs and scoring 42 times while also stealing eight bases in nine attempts.

THIRD BASE

Preseason All-SAC selection Ragan Liles will anchor the third base position this year, with Stevens, Kramer and freshman Riley Davis also looking to contribute. Liles hit .315 with nine doubles and seven homers last season, driving in 34 runs while scoring 44 times.

OUTFIELD

The Bulldogs have plenty of options in the outfield, led by preseason All-SAC honoree Kaylee Hobgood, along with Katy Kahlich, Alyssa Hall and Thomas. In addition, Lampley, Isabella Kraemer, Kale, Dudley, Huneycutt, Stevens, Furr an Scott are all available in the outfield.

Hobgood hit .364 in her freshman season with eight doubles and three triples, driving in 26 runs while scoring 48 times. She led the 'Dogs with 71 hits while leading the conference with 29 stolen bases. Kahlich had five homers and six doubles last year, driving in 21 runs while Hall collected five homers, seven doubles and 17 RBI with a .262 average. Thomas hit .286 on the season with a homer and two doubles, scoring 16 runs. Kale hit .350 in 24 games with five doubles and a triple.
"Our outfield is versatile, which will allow us to prioritize creating the strongest offensive lineup we can," Stanclift says.

SCHEDULE

The opening weekend sees the 'Dogs play several elite programs in Angelo State, UT Tyler, Washburn, Texas A&M International and Arkansas Tech. Wingate returns to North Carolina to go to Mount Olive Feb. 6 before heading to Florida to take on Flagler and Saint Leo for four games. The 'Dogs go to Lander to take on the Bearcats along with Erskine, Emmanuel and Flagler again. Wingate then travels to Francis Marion Feb. 21 before coming home Feb. 24 to host UNC Pembroke at noon. The Bulldogs open SAC play Saturday, March 2 against UVA Wise at noon.