Press Conference

Wingate, N.C.----The top-seeded and seventh-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs fought hard for 20 innings Saturday afternoon on the final day of the NCAA Southeast Regionals, rallying for a 4-3 win over Lander to start the day and then rallying again for a 4-2 nine-inning victory over Lenoir-Rhyne to force one final game. The Bears prevailed 3-2 in eight innings in the final contest, punching their ticket to the Super Regionals. Wingate finishes another incredible season at 49-11 overall. The regular season SAC champion Bulldogs set a new program record with 49 wins, one more than the 2023 squad.

WINGATE 4 LANDER 3

- The game was called Friday evening due to inclement weather
- Lander led 3-0 heading to the top of the fifth inning
- The contest resumed at 11 a.m. Saturday morning
- The Bulldogs exploded for four runs in the sixth inning
- Katy Kahlich blasted a two-run homer to left to start the scoring and make it a one-run game
- Singles from Hannah Stevens and Sydney Kale, along with a hit batter loaded the bases
- Hali Scott ripped a hot shot in the infield that was misplayed, allowing two runs to score
- Wingate took a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the sixth
- Raechel Cutcher worked around a leadoff error, stranding the tying run at third
- Cutcher worked around a one-out single in the seventh, getting a game-ending groundout to cap it
- The first team All-Region right-hander moved to 18-2 on the year with the win
- She went five innings without allowing an earned run, giving up just four hits

WINGATE 4 LENOIR-RHYNE 2 (9 Innings)

- The 'Dogs got on the board in the fourth, with a Savanna Brooks solo shot giving WU a 1-0 lead
- LR took the lead in the fifth on a two-out, two-run triple from Lani Warren, making it 2-1
- Heaven Maness led off the top of the seventh with a solo homer, tying it at two
- The Bears started the bottom of the frame with back-to-back singles
- Cutcher got a lineout, strikeout and groundout to work out of the jam, sending it to extras
- Maness reached on an error to start the ninth, while Raelynn Kramer drew a walk
- Hannah Stevens ripped a two-out, two-run double off the wall on center to give Wingate a 4-2 lead
- Cutcher worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to force one final game between the 'Dogs and Bears
- Cutcher notched her 19th win of the year, allowing just two runs in nine innings of work

LENOIR-RHYNE 3 WINGATE 2 (8 Innings)

- Madison Primm got LR on the board with a solo homer in the bottom of the second
- Stevens drew a walk in the third, then moved to second on a groundout
- She scored the tying run on an RBI single from Kaylee Hobgood, making it 1-1
- The Bears loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame, then took a 2-1 lead via a bases-loaded walk
- Wingate's first two batters of the ninth were retired, but Stevens drew a two-out walk
- Pinch-runner Alyssa Hall moved to second on a wild pitch
- Freshman Raleigh Dudley came through with a two-out, RBI single, plating Hall to make it 2-2
- Brooks just missed putting WU on top in the eighth, with her triple going off the wall in center
- LR starter Lauren Rakes got out of the jam with a popout and strikeout
- The Bears loaded the bases via three singles in the bottom of the eighth
- Madison Wilson's RBI single to left ended the game