Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs celebrated Senior Day in style Saturday afternoon with a pair of dramatic walk-off wins over Lincoln Memorial University in South Atlantic Conference softball action. The Bulldogs scored five runs in the seventh inning to rally for a 7-6 victory in game one, while prevailing 7-6 in eight innings in game two to improve to 26-18 overall and 11-11 in the SAC. The Railsplitters fall to 20-22 overall and 12-10 in league play.

GAME ONE | WINGATE 7 LINCOLN MEMORIAL 6

KEY STATS

- LMU out-hit Wingate 12-11
- The Bulldogs had two of the three extra-base hits with the lone homer
- The Railsplitters left seven on base; the 'Dogs stranded six
- Each team had a stolen base
- Wingate had the lone error
- WU pitching struck out eight and walked two; LMU struck out five and walked one

KEY BULLDOGS

- Reagan Simmons had a double, homer, two RBI and two runs scored
- Riley Griffin added a hit, two RBI and a run scored
- Macie Tillman collected a hit and a pair of RBI
- Damyia McFadden was two-for-three with an RBI
- Addy Higginbotham went three-for-four with two runs scored
- Lily Huneycutt also scored a run
- Madison Dixon added a pair of hits
- Jillian Thomas struck out six in 4 1/3 innings without allowing an earned run

SECOND INNING

- Simmons led off the frame with a solo homer to get the 'Dogs on the board

THIRD INNING

- A Jordann Reagan two-run single gave LMU a 2-1 advantage

FIFTH INNING

- A Nicole Couvertiere two-run single pushed the lead to three
- Higginbotham reached on a one-out bunt single in the bottom of the frame
- She scored on an RBI double from Simmons to make it 4-2

SIXTH INNING

- An RBI groundout from Reese Vivrette gave Lincoln Memorial a 5-2 advantage

SEVENTH INNING

- Cassidy Hack's RBI single gave the Railsplitters a 6-2 cushion
- Two hit batters and Higginbotham single loaded the bases for the 'Dogs in the bottom of the inning
- Griffin's two-run single pulled Wingate within two
- Dixon followed with a single to load the bases
- McFadden's RBI single made it a one-run game
- Tillman followed with the game-winner, a two-run single to right center to make it 7-6

WRAPUP

- Thomas got the win, allowing two unearned runs on four hits in 4 1/3 innings, striking out six
- Katie Fultz took the loss, allowing five runs on five hits in two innings of work

GAME TWO | WINGATE 7 LINCOLN MEMORIAL 6 (8 INNINGS)

KEY STATS

- Wingate out-hit LMU 14-11
- The Railsplitters had four of the six extra-base hits; each team homered
- The Bulldogs left 10 on base; Lincoln Memorial stranded six
- The 'Dogs had both stolen bases
- WU pitching struck out 10 and walked one; LMU struck out one and walked three

KEY BULLDOGS

- Riley Griffin was three-for-four with three RBI
- Higginbotham homered and drove in two runs
- Jamie Horodecki added a hit and drove in a pair of runs
- Kaylee Hobgood was three-for-five with two runs scored
- Huneycutt collected two hits and scored twice
- McFadden went two-for-four with a double and a run scored
- Tillman added a hit and scored a run
- Lily Robbins struck out seven in three shutout frames, allowing just one hit

FIRST INNING

- Hobgood started the inning with a single
- Higginbotham launched a two-run homer to right to make it 2-0
- Hunceycutt then reached on an error and went to third on a groundout
- She scored on Griffin's RBI single to give the 'Dogs a three-run lead

THIRD INNING

- A Kristin Griffin two-run double pulled the Railsplitters within a run
- A walk and McFadden single started the bottom of the frame
- Horodecki's two-run single put the 'Dogs on top 5-2

FOURTH INNING

- A Ryan Williams RBI single cut the lead to two
- Huneycutt singled to start the bottom of the frame
- She scored on Griffin's RBI single to make it 6-3

SIXTH INNING

- An Alyssa Maple three-run homer tied it at six

EIGHTH INNING

- With a runner placed on second to start the top of the eighth, Robbins struck out three straight batters to send it to the bottom of the frame
- Hobgood was placed on second, then moved to third on a Higginbotham sacrifice bunt
- Two straight intentional walks loaded the bases
- Griffin ended it with a walk-off RBI single, plating Hobgood to give the 'Dogs the victory

WRAPUP

- Robbins got the win, allowing just one hit while striking out seven in three shutout frames
- Fultz took the loss, allowing a run on two hits in four innings of work

UP NEXT

- The Bulldogs are onto the SAC Tournament
- The full bracket and schedule will be released on Sunday