Florence, S.C.----The fourth-seeded Wingate University Bulldogs opened up NCAA tourney play with a 5-1 victory over fifth-seeded Flagler College Thursday evening on day one of the NCAA Division II softball tournament. Wingate improves to 38-21 overall, moving on to the winner's bracket game Friday against Francis Marion. The Saints fall to 32-21 on the season.

KEY STATS

- Wingate out-hit Flagler 11-2
- Each team had two extra-base hits; the 'Dogs had the lone homer
- The Bulldogs left 10 on base; the Saints stranded five
- Wingate had the only error in the contest
- WU pitching struck out seven and walked three; FC had a strikeout and four walks

KEY BULLDOGS

- Hali Scott was two-for-four with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored
- Scott got the win, allowing an unearned run on one hit in four innings, striking out five
- Laney McLaurin went two-for-three with an RBI
- Raelynn Kramer and Jaden Burns each added a hit and an RBI
- Damyia McFadden was two-for-four with two runs scored
- Hannah Stevens contributed a hit and scored a run
- Savanna Brooks added a double
- Lily Huneycutt struck out two in three shutout frames to earn the save

FIRST INNING

- Singles from Hobgood and McFadden, along with a Stevens walk loaded the bases
- Kramer's RBI fielder's choice gave Wingate an early 1-0 lead

THIRD INNING

- A hit batter and walk put two on for Flagler
- A Wingate error allowed a run to score, tying it at one
- Stevens and Scott started the bottom of the frame with back-to-back singles
- An RBI single from Burns made it 2-1
- McLaurin's RBI single gave the Bulldogs a two-run lead

FOURTH INNING

- McFadden led off the inning with a single
- Scott launched a towering two-run homer to left to put the 'Dogs on top 5-1

WRAPUP

- Scott got the win, moving to 9-6 on the year
- She allowed an unearned run on one hit in four innings, striking out five and walking two
- Huneycutt notched her first save, allowing one hit in three shutout innings, striking out two
- Jordan Sheets took the loss, allowing five runs on 11 hits in four innings of work

UP NEXT

- Wingate is back in action Friday at 1 p.m. against Francis Marion
- The winner of the WU-FMU contest advances to the final day of the FMU regional Saturday
- The loser will be back in action Friday at 7 p.m. against the Flagler-Georgia Southwestern winner
- Every game of this weekend's regional will take place at Francis Marion