Duba, Wittenhagen lead Lions' offense versus Wingate

WINGATE, N.C. - The Mars Hill softball team (11-18, 2-14 SAC) was swept Saturday versus Wingate (18-16, 11-9 SAC) by scores of 18-4 and 5-4, respectively.

GAME ONE: WU 18, MHU 4

Wingate used a 11-run fourth inning to secure the game one win.

Leading 7-3 entering the bottom of the fourth, Laney McLaurin bolstered the Bulldog's lead to eight after a grand slam.  Later in the frame, up 15-3, Sam Hogan hit a three-run home run to put Wingate up 18-3.

Raelynn Kramer hit two home runs in the contest for six RBI.  She put the Bulldogs up 2-0 after two and in the bottom of the third, up 3-0, hit a grand slam to left field.

The Lions chipped into the lead in the top of the fourth as Peyton Duba hit a two-run home run to center field.  Later in the inning, Sydney Craig plated Ashley Hamlin with a RBI single through the left side of the infield.  

Duba, in the top of the fifth, recorded her third RBI of the day with a RBI single that scored Danielle Harris.

Kramer led all players with six RBI, going 2-for-3 from the plate.  McLauren scored three runs on the day and drove in four.  Duba and Ashley Evans each recorded a team-high two hits while Duba drove in three to lead Mars Hill.

Aubrey Reep earned the win, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five in four innings pitched.

GAME TWO: WU 5, MHU 4

Wingate completed the comeback bid in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four to earn their second win of the day.

Trailing 4-1, a three-run home run from Laney McLaurin tied the game.  Katy Kahlich, later in the inning, scored off of a Mars Hill error.

The Lions took an early 1-0 lead as a Bulldogs' wild pitch allowed Danielle Harris to score.  Heaven Maness tied the game in the bottom half of the inning with a solo home run to center field.

Mars Hill used the long ball for their next three runs.  Alicia Wittenhagen, in the top of the second, hit her first solo home run of the day.  In the top of the fourth, both Ashley Hamlin and Wittenhagen hit solo home runs to put the Lions up 4-1 after four.

McLaurin led all players with three RBI while Maness and Nunnery led the Bulldogs with two hits apiece.  Wittenhagen led the Lions with two hits and two RBI.  Harris added two hits.

Sydney Kale picked up the win, striking out four in 2.2 innings of work, allowing one run on one hit.  Aubrey Reep earned the save.

The Lions return to the diamond on Sunday, April 11 when they take on Newberry.  First pitch is set for 1 p.m.