WINGATE – Despite leading the contest by one run since the third inning, the UNCP softball team gave up a late run in the seventh to tie the game and the Wingate Bulldogs clipped an additional run in the eighth inning to take away the victory from UNCP, 2-1, on Monday at WU Softball Complex.

Freshman Sequoia Barrett notched the only run of the game for UNCP (5-9), while Taylor Cloninger grabbed the RBI on Barrett's run. Cloninger led the squad with two hits, while junior Shelby Holland, and sophomores Brea Hartley and Karlee Wilson posted one hit apiece. Wingate (9-2) had five different athletes post one hit each as Kaity Schultz and Kasey Pendley scored the two runs for the Bulldogs.

Junior Natalie Klemann (3-3) struck out two batters in her 7-1/3 innings pitched, as well as giving up two runs (one earned) on five hits. Wingate's Stacey Houser (4-2) went all eight innings and concluded her time in the circle with five strikeouts, five hits and one run.

After only having three batters up to bat in both the first and second innings, Barrett reached first base for the first time for UNCP on a fielding error by the center fielder and quickly scored on the single up the middle by Cloninger.

UNCP's defense controlled the atmosphere of the game as only four Bulldogs reached bases after six full innings including Klemann facing no more than four batters in those six innings. Hayley Whitley doubled to left field for the Bulldogs and after Schultz came in to pinch run, the run was scored on a single through the right side by Brittany Owens.

With the score tied 1-1 at the end of seven innings, the international tie breaker placed Barrett on second and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt before the half inning ended for UNCP. Wingate placed Pendley on second in the bottom on the eighth and scored her on a base hit for the 2-1 victory.