Wingate, N.C.----The Lander women's softball team split a softball doubleheader with the Wingate University Saturday afternoon at the Wingate Softball Complex. The Bulldogs took game one 11-3 in six innings. Lander shut out Wingate 4-0 in game two. (Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box)
Wingate moves to 10-8 on the year, Lander is 4-16.
In the first game, Wingate sophomore outfielder Leyila Myers was two-for-four with three RBI, while senior first baseman Courtney Wagner was two-for-four with two RBI and three runs scored as the Bulldogs took the first game victory.
Lander got on the board in the first inning, when freshman Carrie Hudson doubled, then scored on an error for an early 1-0 lead.
Wingate responded in the bottom of the first inning when Wagner scored on an RBI triple from junior catcher Jamie Millen. The Bulldogs took the lead in the third on an two-RBI double from freshman second baseman Gina Ager. Millen and Wagner scored on Ager's two-bagger.
Lander tied the score in the sixth, scoring the first run on an RBI single from senior outfielder Lib Harris. An RBI single from junior Sara Senn tied the score at 3-3.
Wingate scored eight runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game on ice. The Bulldogs scored all eight runs with two outs. Wagner got it started with an RBI double down the left-field line. She then scored on an error.
Myers then delivered the big blow, a three-run double to right center field, making the score 8-3. Junior left fielder Heather Winchester followed with an RBI single. Junior third baseman Hallie Pettigrew then drew a bases loaded walk for a seven-run lead. Wagner ended the game with an RBI single up the middle for the 11-3 final.
Freshman pitcher Brittany Blakenship got the win, going the distance while allowing two earned runs on nine hits and striking out six. Blankenship improves her overall record to 4-4 on the year. She was also two-for-four at the plate, while scoring a run. Senior pitcher Austin Murray took the loss, allowing four earned runs on 10 hits while striking out two. Murray falls to 1-7 on the season.
In the second game, Lander sophomore infielder Natalie Smith was three-for-three with an RBI and a run scored to lead the Bearcat offense. Sophomore catcher Daisy Stewart had a pair of RBI for Lander, while senior pitcher Jenna Kellett tossed a six-hit shutout.
Millen and freshman designated player Emily Chavis had two hits each for Wingate in game two.
Lander again got on the board early, plating a pair of runs in the first inning. Stewart got it started with an RBI single. Smith would score on an error on the play, making it 2-0.
The Bearcats added another run in the second on an RBI single from Smith for a three-run lead. Lander added one more insurance run in the seventh, with sophomore shortstop Lindsey Sammons scoring on an RBI groundout from Stewart.
Kellett went the distance, improving to 2-6 overall on the year. She struck out five Bulldogs on the day. Wingate sophomore pitcher Meredith Harris took the loss, allowing three earned runs on nine hits. Harris struck out seven in seven innings of work.
