WINGATE RALLIES TO EARN SWEEP OF SOFTBALL

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Wingate University softball team (17-8-1, 2-0 SAC) rallied from a three-run deficit in game two of a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader on Saturday at Red Edmonds Field to sweep Tusculum College (8-16, 0-2 SAC), taking game one by a 3-2 score before defeating the Pioneers 9-7 in 10 innings in the nightcap.

Ashley Basilicato, Taylor MacDonald and Rachel Hopper each had three hits on the day for Tusculum, while freshman Phlyscia Powell paced the Pioneers with two RBI. Basilicato also scored two runs to lead the team.

Holli Cadenhead (6-9) made the start for the Pioneers in game one and pitched the full seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits while tying a season-high with seven strikeouts. Lindsay Bridges made the start for Tusculum in game two and pitched the first seven innings, allowing one earned run on six hits. Cadenhead hurled the final three frames in relief, allowing one earned run on two hits. The junior right-hander took the decision in both games of the twin-bill.

Debra Grijalva paced the Wingate offense with four hits in five at-bats while scoring a team-high three runs. Emily Chavis and Heather Winchester each had two RBI to lead the Bulldogs, as Chavis recorded two doubles on the day.

Allison Smith (10-3) made the start for the Bulldogs in game one and threw the full seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out four. Cristin Kelly pitched the first four and two-thirds frames of game two, allowing one earned run. Brittany Blankenship (6-4) threw the final five and one-third stanzas, allowing two runs (none earned) on four hits to notch her sixth win of the season.

Game 1: Wingate 3, Tusculum 2

Wingate opened an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, pushing across the game's first run on an RBI single by Chavis that scored LaRhonda McClain from second. Tusculum answered with a run of its own in the bottom of the first, tying the game at 1-1 on Basilicato's RBI single up the middle that allowed Savannah Ewing to score from third.

The game would stay tied until the top of the fourth inning, when Wingate reclaimed the lead on an RBI single by Jamie Millen that scored pinch-runner Jessica McCraw from third to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage. Tusculum would pull even on Hopper's fifth inning RBI single before Wingate plated a run in the sixth to take a 3-2 lead. The Pioneers would threaten in the bottom of the frame, putting runners on second and third with two outs before Smith struck out the final batter of the inning to stop the rally.

Game 2: Wingate 9, Tusculum 7 (10 innings)

The Bulldogs opened the scoring in game two with a pair of runs in the second inning, taking advantage of several defensive miscues to push two runners across the plate and take an early 2-0 lead.

Tusculum responded in the bottom of the inning, scoring three runs on Powell's two-run single and an error by Wingate which allowed Powell, Basilicato and pinch-runner Brittany Hunley to round the bases and give the Pioneers a 3-2 lead after two frames.

The Pioneers would stretch the lead to 5-2 with a pair of runs in the fifth on RBI singles by Jessica McKee and Racheal Wilburn. Tusculum nearly claimed the victory in the top of the seventh, but Wingate took advantage of three errors by the Pioneers and scored three runs to tie the score at 5-5 and send the game into extra innings.

Both teams would plate a run in the ninth before Wingate plated three