Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University softball team posted 21 runs and 24 hits in a doubleheader sweep of visiting Montreat College Thursday afternoon at the Wingate University softball facility. The Bulldogs won the first game 10-1 and the second game 11-3. Both games were halted after five innings.

With the two victories, Wingate improves to 10-2 overall. Montreat drops to 3-9 overall. The Bulldogs travel to Limestone College Saturday for a 1 p.m. twin bill.

Game #1 – Wingate 10, Montreat 1 (five innings)

The Bulldogs tallied four runs in the third inning and six runs in the fourth inning to put the first game on ice. In the third, senior All-American catcher Mandi Chester (Charlotte, N.C.) had an RBI double. Chester’s two-bagger was one of four run-scoring hits in the Wingate third.

Wingate scored six runs on six hits in the fourth frame. The big blow was a two-RBI triple by senior second baseman Megan McPhail (Wade, N.C.). Chester added an RBI single in the fourth inning.

Bulldog senior outfielder Joy Henry (Virginia Beach, Va.) was three-for-three with a double in the opening game. McPhail was two-for-three with a triple and three RBI. Chester and sophomore third baseman Hallie Pettigrew (Uniontown, Ohio) were both two-for-two for the hosts. Chester had a double and two RBI, while Pettigrew recorded two stolen bases.

Wingate senior Ashley Green (Charleston, S.C.) pitched four innings of one-hit ball to win the first game. The 2006 Food Lion SAC tournament MVP did not allow a run. She struck out six and walked one.

Montreat junior pitcher Haven Payne (Canton, N.C.) took the loss. She gave up 10 runs on 12 hits in four innings of work. Payne walked three and struck out none. At the plate, Payne had two of Montreat’s four hits in the opener.

Game #2 – Wingate 11, Montreat 3 (five innings)

Wingate did not lose any steam in the nightcap, scoring nine runs in the first two innings to take the victory. Montreat struck first, as sophomore third baseman Amy Vogel (Hays, N.C.) hit a three-run homer in the top of the first inning. The Cavaliers had two of their three game-two hits in the first inning.

The Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the first frame with four runs. Chester stroked a two-RBI double, while sophomore outfielder Heather Winchester (Waxhaw, N.C.) contributed a two-RBI single.

Wingate scored five more in the second inning. Winchester had another huge hit, as the Weddington High School product plated two runs with a single. The Bulldogs tallied five runs on three hits and two Montreat errors in the second inning.

Winchester was one of five Bulldogs with two hits in the second game. She was two-for-three with four RBI. Chester and Henry had two hits and two RBI each in the nightcap. Vogel was one-for-two with her home run and three RBI for the Cavaliers.

Green also won the second game, improving her 2007 record to 8-2 overall. She gave up three runs on three hits, striking out four and walking one in her three-inning appearance. Bulldog freshman right-hander Katy Eaker (Charlotte, N.C.) made her Wingate pitching debut in relief, twirling two hitless innings. The South Mecklenburg High School graduate struck out three and walked none.

Article written by:
David Sherwood
Wingate University Sports Information Director

Written By: David Sherwood - Wingate University SID
Posted By: Daniel Brunson
Date Posted: 2/22/2007
Number of Views: 750