Wingate Softball Coach Michelle Caddigan Wins 350th Game

Wingate, N.C. -- Wingate University senior pitcher Ashley Green (Charleston, S.C.) pitched a perfect game in the opener, setting the tone for the day as the Bulldogs swept an NCAA Division II softball doubleheader from Wheeling Jesuit (W.Va.) University Monday afternoon at the Wingate University softball facility.

The Bulldogs won Green's gem 8-0 in five innings. Wingate (14-2 overall) won the nightcap 7-2. The two victories give Bulldog head coach Michelle Caddigan 350 wins as Wingate's softball mentor. In 11 Wingate seasons, Caddigan has compiled an overall record of 350-162-2.

Game #1 - Wingate 8, Wheeling Jesuit 0 (five innings)

Michelle Caddigan

Green threw 58 pitches (40 for strikes) in her perfect game. The 2006 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference tournament MVP struck out seven of the 15 Wheeling Jesuit batters she faced. With the victory, Green improves to 11-2 overall on the young season.

Wingate plated the only run Green would need with a single spot in the bottom of the first inning. Bulldog junior first baseman Courtney Wagner (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) plated the run with an RBI single.

The Bulldogs put the game out of reach with four runs in the bottom of the second inning. The big hit for the hosts was a two-RBI single by sophomore outfielder Heather Winchester (Waxhaw, N.C.).

Wingate senior catcher Mandi Chester (Charlotte, N.C.) helped the Bulldogs seal the deal with a two-run homer during the three-run fourth inning. A 2006 Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division II All-American, Chester tops the team charts with four round-trippers this year.

Chester was two-for-three with a home run and three RBI in the opener. Bulldog sophomore third baseman Hallie Pettigrew (Uniontown, Ohio) was two-for-two with one RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored.

Game #2 - Wingate 7, Wheeling Jesuit 2

Bulldog senior right-hander Brittney Taylor (Lexington, N.C.) tossed a complete game in the nightcap, helping Wingate put the finishing touches on the sweep. Taylor allowed two runs on three hits in seven innings of work. She struck out three and walked none to pick up second victory of the season.

Wingate broke open a 2-1 contest with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Bulldogs sent 11 batters to the plate in the sixth frame, scoring five runs on five singles. Five different players had RBI in the sixth inning.

Winchester knocked in a run in the second inning to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. Wingate made it 2-0 in the third when a Wagner RBI single plated freshman shortstop LaRonda McClain (Kings Mountain, N.C.), who had singled earlier in the inning.

Wheeling Jesuit cut the lead in half with a single spot in the top of the fourth inning. Shortstop Ashley McSweeney (New Martinsville, W.Va.) led off the inning with single. She moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and a groundout. McSweeney scored on an RBI single by catcher Audrey Tucholski (Maumee, Ohio).

Tucholski hit her first home run of the season in the top of the seventh inning to finish the scoring. She finished the second contest two-for-three with a double, a home run and two RBI.

Wagner was three-for-four with two RBI in the nightcap. McClain was two-for-four with one RBI. The speedster from Kings Mountain High School had three stolen bases in the two games, giving her a South Atlantic Conference-leading 15 thefts on the season. Chester was also two-for-four in game two, contributing one RBI.

Wingate hits the road Wednesday, visiting Mount Olive College for a 3 p.m. twin bill. Wheeling Jesuit (0-4 overall) continues its spring training trip Tuesday, venturing to Catawba College for a 2 p.m. doubleheader.