WINGATE, N.C. --- The Tusculum University softball team was swept in a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader by No. 12 Wingate on Saturday (Mar. 16).

Tusculum (13-14, 3-3 SAC) continues its in-conference spread, hosting Catawba on Wednesday, March 20. First pitch from Red Edmonds Field is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Game 1: No. 12 Wingate 6, Tusculum 2
Brooke Smith went 2-for-3 and Claire Smeltzer drove in both runs for the Pioneers in the opener against the ranked Bulldogs.

Wingate used a three-run second inning to provide all the separation needed in game one. The 'Dogs had three-straight batters reach to start the frame. After a strikeout, a fielder's choice got a runner thrown out at home. A two RBI single pushed two runs across.

WU used a solo home run to stretch the lead to four after three innings.

The Pioneers struck in the sixth for their two runs. Danielle Jason and Smith went back-to-back on singles. Smeltzer drove them both in on a double out to center field.

Wingate tacked on two more runs in the bottom half of the inning to create the final score.

Emily Sappington (4-4) tossed 5.2 frames, allowing six runs on eight hits with three walks and six strikeouts. The only batter that Nyah Vogel faced was out on an infield liner.

Game 2: No. 12 Wingate 8, Tusculum 0 (6 innings)
The Bulldogs needed just six innings to run-rule and shutout the Pioneers, sweeping the season series.

Jason, Smeltzer (2), Gabi Nicholson, and Ellie Alvarez accounted for the TU hits. Nicholson's swing went for a double, while Jason also drew the lone walk.

Wingate kept the bats hot in the interim, scoring thrice in the first inning, tagging on another run in the second.

The Bulldogs added on three more runs in the fifth, including a two-run homer. A RBI double in the sixth invoked the eight-run, run-rule.

Ireland Cavanaugh (4-6) pitched four innings, relenting four runs on five hits with three strikeouts. Natalie Spaitis finished out the contest with four runs on six hits with one strikeout across 1.1 innings.