WINGATE, N.C. --- For the first time this season, the Tusculum University softball team was unable to put a run on the board. Wingate held the Pioneers scoreless in both games of Saturday's South Atlantic Conference opener.

Tusculum (13-8, 0-2 SAC) steps out of conference once again to face nearby King in a doubleheader. Tuesday's (Mar. 8) twin-bill is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in Bristol.

Game 1: Wingate 5, Tusculum 0
Emily Sappington (6-4) struck out 10 in the circle, but the Pioneer offense only managed three hits in the first SAC game of the season.

The trio of base hits were by the No. 5 through No. 7 batters in the lineup: Chloe Freischmidt, Hayley Lazo, and Kallyn Newport. Kiley Longmire drew a walk in the sixth.

Wingate scored once in the first, once in the third, and three in the sixth.

Sappington had seven hits against her, leading to five runs, including the first home run surrendered this season by the lefty. She did not walk a batter for the first time in her 10 appearances in 2022.

Game 2: Wingate 10, Tusculum 0 (5 inns.)
The Pioneers were shut out and run-ruled in the nightcap. Mya Maddox went 2-for-3 as the lone batter to record multiple hits for TU. Angela Masiello, Anna Alloway, and Longmire tallied the five hits for Tusculum.

The Bulldogs plated three in the third via home runs on consecutive pitches. Wingate added seven in the bottom of the fifth to end the game early via run-rule, capped off by a three-run shot.

Ireland Cavanaugh (5-2) was tagged with the loss. She struck out four and walked one. Three of the six hits allowed were homers with seven runs scoring. Keylon Reynolds entered in a relief appearance. She struck out one and allowed three runs on three hits.