Wingate, NC – The Erskine softball team travelled to Wingate, North Carolina, on Friday to face the defending South Atlantic Conference champions Wingate University Bulldogs.  Unfortunately, the Fleet did not have one of their better days.  Erskine lost both games to Wingate University 7 to 1 and 9 to 0 (5 innings). 

The Fleet lost the first game 7 to 1 committing 4 fielding errors and allowing 6 unearned runs.  Freshman Kelsey Spurrier (2-2) started on the mound for the Fleet.  She lasted just 3.2 innings giving up 7 runs, only 1 earned.  Fellow freshman hurler Heather Richey pitched the last 2.1 innings without giving up a hit but the damage was already done.  The Flying Fleet managed only four hits against Wingate’s Brittany Blankenship.  The Fleet scored their lone run in the fourth when senior Kelly Davis scored on Courtney Davis’ RBI single.  Blankenship pitched 7 innings, striking out 8 and walking just one batter.

Unfortunately, it only got worse for the Flying Fleet in the second game losing in five innings 9 to 0.  The Fleet defense committed 3 more errors on the day (7 total) allowing five unearned runs.  Wingate University blasted three home runs, including a grand slam by sophomore catcher Brittany Barrineau.  Senior pitcher Lauren Gunter (1-1) took the lost for the Fleet lasting just 2.1 innings, giving up 7 hits and allowing 8 runs, just 3 earned.  Offensively, the Fleet managed just one hit against Wingate’s Allison Smith, an infield single by freshman Melanie Henderson.