DAHLONEGA, Ga.- Queens used two hits in the sixth to defeat Wingate University 1-0 in an elimination game of the 2009 NCAA Southeast Regional. The Royals (27-25) stay alive with the win and face Augusta State (33-20) at 7:30pm tonight.
The win balances out two losses the Bulldogs (33-16-1) dealt the Royals earlier in the season. On February 26, at Wingate, Wingate defeated Queens 2-1 and 11-2 (5).
The game passed through six innings before any scores were posted. The game changing moment came in the bottom of the fifth for Queens when Gina Ager (Columbia, Ga./River Hill) grounded into a double play at third base. The double play, Queens’ second of the season, slowed the Bulldog offense, ending the inning and leaving one on base.
Up until that point, Wingate had been threatening all game. The visitors loaded the bases in the fifth and sixth, but strong defense by the Royals held them off.
Amanda Bowman (Kernersville, N.C,, Glenn) put a bunt down that hugged the left field line to reach first. During Kari Kmetic's (Milwaukie, Ore., Putnam)at bat Bowman stole her 11th base of the season to advance to second. Kmetic came through again for Queens, singling to left center and driving her Bowman for the 1-0 lead.
Bowman’s hit was the first given up by Wingate’s Allison Smith (Daleville, Va./Lord Botetourt). She went 5.1 innings with no hits and two walks. For the game Smith (13-7) gave up two hits while striking out five.
The Bulldogs tried to stay alive in the top of the seventh when Julie Broyer (Hollister, Calif./San Baneito) singled to center field, but she was caught stealing on the next play. Chantel Dodge (Shalimar, Fla., Choctawatchee) put the tying run on base with a walk, but the Bulldogs’ Debra Grijalva (San Jose, Calif./Evergreen Valley) flied out to end the game.
Offensively, Wingate held the edge with eight hits to Queens two. Hallie Pettigrew (Uniontown, Ohio/Lake) led the Bulldogs at the plate going 3-3. Heather Winchester (Waxhaw, N.C./Weddington) and Broyer each went 2-3. Bowman and Kmetic each had one hit for Queens.
Dodge (17-18) threw all seven for Queens and struck out three and gave up eight hits.
The loss ends Wingate’s season.