February 9, 2008

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NOTE: Release contributed by Wingate Sports Information

WINGATE, N.C.—Senior second baseman Erin Haugen (Ft. Mill, S.C.) has a single and two walks to lead visiting St. Andrews Presbyterian College but the Wingate University softball team swept an NCAA Division II doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at the Wingate University Softball Complex. The Bulldogs won the first game 16-0 and the second game 11-0. Both games ended after five innings of play.

The twin bill was the season opener for both teams. Wingate (2-0 overall) visits Coker College Sunday at 2 p.m. St. Andrews (0-2 overall) makes a journey to the Georgia mountains Sunday, venturing to North Georgia College & State University for a 12 noon encounter.

St. Andrews next visits non-conference North Georgia College & State University (Dahlonega, Ga.) on Sunday at Noon.

Game One: Wingate 16, St. Andrews Presbyterian 0 (five innings)

Wingate sophomore pitcher Meredith Harris (Kittrell, N.C.) combined with freshman hurler Brittany Blankenship (Midlothian, Va.) for a five-inning no-hitter in the opener. Harris and Blankenship had plenty of support, as the Bulldogs picked up 16 runs on 10 hits in game one.

The Bulldogs led 6-0 after two innings. Wingate scored one run in the first inning and five runs in the second inning. In the second frame, freshman first baseman Emily Chavis (Berkeley Lake, Ga.) contributed a three-RBI double with her first collegiate safety.

In the third frame, Wingate scored 10 runs on seven hits and two Knights errors. Freshman second baseman Gina Ager (Columbia, Md.) plated three runs with a triple. Ager’s three-bagger was her first collegiate hit.

Earlier in the third inning, Wingate senior catcher Courtney Wagner (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) blasted a three-run homer over the right field fence. The Bulldogs sent 14 batters to the plate in the explosive third inning.

Wingate sophomore center fielder LaRonda McClain (Kings Mountain, N.C.) was two-for-four with two RBI and a stolen base for the Bulldogs in the opening game. Sophomore right fielder Leyila Myers (Marietta, Ga.) was two-for-three with three runs scored for the hosts. Chavis, Ager and Wagner compiled three RBI each. Freshman shortstop Whitney Williams (Little River, S.C.) had two RBI with a single and a sacrifice fly.

Harris pitched three innings, striking out two and walking two. Blankenship started the fourth inning. She also struck out two and walked two. SAPC senior pitcher Samantha Stewart (Ft. Pierce, Fla.) took the loss for the Knights. Stewart allowed 16 runs on 10 hits in three innings of work. She walked seven. Only seven of Stewart’s 16 runs were earned.

Game Two: Wingate 11, St. Andrews Presbyterian 0 (five innings)

The Bulldogs continued the offensive fireworks in the nightcap, as Wingate scored 11 runs on 15 hits. Both Chavis and Wagner hit home runs for the hosts in game two.

Chavis wasted little time clearing the fence, as she belted a two-run homer to left center field in the bottom of the first inning. Wagner hit a two-run homer to almost the same spot in the second frame. The Bulldogs scored seven runs on nine hits and one SAPC error in the second inning.

Wingate scored four runs in the first inning and added seven more in the second frame to conclude the scoring for the day. McClain finished a productive day with a three-for-four performance in game two. She scored one run in the nightcap. Williams matched McClain with three hits in three tries. She had one RBI and one run scored.

Chavis and junior left fielder Heather Winchester (Waxhaw, N.C.) had two hits each for the Bulldogs in game two. Chavis was two-for-three with a home run and four RBI. Winchester was two-for-three with a double and one run scored.

Bulldog head coach Michelle Caddigan utilized two pitchers in the nightcap as well. Wingate junior Cristin Kelly (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) started the contest. The Lynn University transfer went three innings, allowing two hits. Bulldog sophomore Katy Eaker (Charlotte, N.C.) finished, giving up two hits in two innings of work. Kelly struck out one batter, while Eaker fanned two.

Knight senior pitcher Mika Tanji (Honolulu, Hawaii) took the loss for the visitors. Tanji allowed 11 runs (eight earned) on 12 hits in two innings. She walked one Bulldog batter. Four Knights had one hit each: Haugen, sophomore outfielder Morgan Farroll (Newton Grove, N.C.), sophomore catcher/outfielder Kailee Munden (LaVerne, Calif.) and freshman outfielder Jasmine Dobbin (Pikeville, N.C.).

On the afternoon, Wingate hit .500 with runners in scoring position (13-for-26). St. Andrews was zero-for-nine with runners in scoring position. The Bulldogs’ success rate advancing runners was 65.1 percent (28-of-43).