WINGATE, N.C. --- The No. 16 Wingate University softball team rallied in game one, and utilized a superb pitching performance in the night cap to sweep a doubleheader with Tusculum College to open South Atlantic Conference play on Saturday.

Wingate (25-3, 2-0 SAC) out-hit the Pioneers 14-5 on the day, including a 7-1 margin in game two. Emily Chavis led the Bulldogs with four hits and three RBI. LaRonda McClain, Joya Wortham, and Jessica Bowen each had two hits for Wingate as five Bulldogs drove in at least one run. Brittany Blankenship (13-2) picked up the win in game one, allowing three runs on four hits and striking out six in seven innings of work. Allison Smith (12-1) tossed a gem in game two, allowing one hit and striking out 10 in a seven-inning shutout.

Taylor MacDonald led the Pioneers with two hits while Phlyscia Powell drove in three runs for Tusculum on the day. Holli Cadenhead (4-4) allowed one earned run on seven hits in game one, while striking out two for the Pioneers. Erin Searcy (2-4) made the start in game two and allowed two unearned runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

Game One - Wingate 6, Tusculum 3 - Box Score

Tusculum struck first in game one, taking an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first on Powell's first home run of the season, a three-run shot following back-to-back singles by Brittany Hunley and MacDonald to open the frame. Freshman Brittany Loudermilt started the rally for Wingate in the second inning, cutting the lead to 3-1 with an RBI single that plated Leyila Myers.

The Bulldogs then took their first lead of the day with three runs in the third, taking advantage of a leadoff hit by pitch, a Tusculum error, and a wild pitch to cut the margin to 3-2 before RBI bases knocks by Bowen and Chavis gave Wingate a 4-3 lead. Wingate later stretched the margin to 6-3 on a pair of RBI singles by Chavis and Debra Grijalva in the fifth.

Game Two: Wingate 2, Tusculum 0 - Box Score

Smith shined for the Bulldogs in game two, limiting the Pioneers to three base runners en route to a one-hit shutout. Brittany Barrineau and Chavis provided the run support with a pair of RBI doubles in the third inning to propel the Bulldogs to a 2-0 win and the doubleheader sweep.

Tusculum returns to the diamond on Sunday when the Pioneer host Montreat College in a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Red Edmonds Field.

- TC -