Queens Knocks Out Wingate In NCAA Softball Tournament

DAHLONEGA, Ga. -- The Wingate University Bulldogs dropped a 1-0 heartbreaker to the Royals of Queens University of Charlotte Saturday afternoon on day two of the 2009 Southeast Regional softball tournament on the campus of North Georgia College & State University. The Royals improve to 27-25 overall on the year; they will take on Augusta State University at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Bulldogs conclude their 2009 campaign 33-16-1 overall.

Senior infielder Kari Kmetic (Milwaukie, Ore.) was one-for-one with an RBI single, while junior outfielder Amanda Bowman (Kernersville, N.C.) had a single and a run scored for the Royals.

Senior third baseman Hallie Pettigrew (Uniontown, Ohio) was three-for-three while also drawing a walk. The SAC co-Player of the Year and SAC Scholar Athlete was perfect in the tournament, reaching base six times while also laying down a sacrifice and stealing two bases. Senior outfielder Heather Winchester (Waxhaw, N.C.) and junior infielder Julie Broyer (Hollister, Calif.) each went two-for-three for the Bulldogs Saturday.

The Royals did their damage in the sixth, with Bowman picking up the first Queens' hit of the day on a bunt single down the third-base line. She stole second and scored on the RBI single from Kmetic. The two sixth-inning safeties would be the only two hits of the day for the Royals.

The Bulldogs had eight hits on the day, while leaving nine runners on base. Wingate had the bases loaded in the fifth, but a fly ball from junior first baseman Leyila Myers (Marietta, Ga.) was caught inches in front of the left field wall. Wingate had two on with one out in the fifth, but a rocket down the third base line was converted into an inning-ending double play.

Queens freshman pitcher Chantel Dodge (Shalimar, Fla.) got the win, allowing eight hits in seven innings. Dodge struck out three to improve to 17-18 overall on the year. Wingate sophomore Allison Smith (Daleville, Va.) took the tough loss, allowing only two hits in six innings. Smith struck out five, falling to 13-7 overall on the year.