February 16 , 2008
Contact: Heather Sulkowski
Limestone College Sports Information
Phone: 864-488-8297
hsulkowski@limestone.edu

BULLDOGS AND SAINTS SPLIT NCAA SOFTBALL TWIN BILL;
WINGATE’S WAGNER HITS TWO HOMERS IN NIGHTCAP

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University softball team split an NCAA Division II doubleheader with Limestone College Saturday afternoon at the Wingate University Softball Complex. The Saints won the first game 7-1, while the Bulldogs rebounded to take the second game 4-1. Wingate senior catcher Courtney Wagner (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) hit two home runs in the nightcap to help the Bulldogs gain the split.

Both teams hit the road for their next action. Wingate (5-1 overall) visits Francis Marion University Tuesday for a 2 p.m. doubleheader. Limestone (2-4 overall) travels to Montreat College for a 1 p.m. twin bill Sunday.

Game #1 –Limestone 7, Wingate 1

Limestone sent 12 batters to the plate in the top of the sixth inning, plating seven runs on four hits, two hit batsmen, two stolen bases and one Wingate error. The outburst broke a 0-0 tie. Saint junior first baseman Christina Woolgar (Orangeville, Calif.) had a two-RBI double to provide the visitors with the game-winning runs.

Later in the sixth frame, Limestone sophomore catcher Jordan Goodman (Mississaugua, Ontario) contributed a two-RBI single. Woolgar and Goodman led the Saints with two RBI each during the first contest. Five Limestone players had one hit each in the victory.

Wingate tallied its lone run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Bulldog junior outfielder Heather Winchester (Waxhaw, N.C.) started the frame with a double down the left-field line. She moved to third on a ground-out. Winchester scored on an RBI fielder’s choice by junior third baseman Hallie Pettigrew (Uniontown, Ohio). Four Bulldogs had one hit each in the opening game: Pettigrew, Wagner, Winchester and junior designated player Jamie Millen (Monroe, N.C.)

Limestone junior pitcher Lauren Robertson (Cincinnati, Ohio) scattered four hits to take the first game victory. Robertson struck out two and walked five. The four hits were singles. Wingate sophomore pitcher Meredith Harris (Kittrell, N.C.) took the loss. In five-plus innings, Harris allowed five earned runs on two hits. She struck out five and walked three.

Game #2 –Wingate 4, Limestone 1

Wagner hit two deep in the nightcap for the host Bulldogs. In the bottom of the second inning, Wagner started the frame with a solo shot to give Wingate a 1-0 edge. The Bulldogs added two more runs in the second, thanks to a two-RBI single by sophomore outfielder LaRonda McClain (Kings Mountain, N.C.).

Wingate’s lone senior, Wagner hit another solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to provide the Bulldogs with insurance. In game two, Wagner was two-for-three with two RBI and six put-outs. McClain matched Wagner with two hits in three tries. McClain also tallied two RBI in the nightcap.

Limestone posted a single spot in the top of the fifth inning to cut Wingate’s margin to 3-1. The big blow for the Saints was an RBI double by freshman shortstop Mary Sheldon (Port Charlotte, Fla.). Four Saints had one hit each in game two. Sheldon was the only LC player to record an extra-base hit. Woolgar had two singles to lead the Limestone offense in game two.

Bulldog freshman hurler Brittany Blankenship (Midlothian, Va.) improved her record to 2-0 overall with the complete game victory. This week’s South Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Week, Blankenship allowed one run on six hits. The right-hander struck out five and walked one.

Limestone freshman Emily Wallace (Winchester, Ky.) took the loss in game two. In six innings of work, Wallace gave up four earned runs on six hits. She struck out three and walked none.

-LIMESTONE-