RELATED: No. 24 Wingate Seizes 2-0 Win In Game One

PEMBROKE – Despite notching the first run of the game, the UNC Pembroke softball team was unable to hold off the No. 24 Wingate offensive charge throughout the six inning game on Wednesday as the Bulldogs grabbed the series sweep, 9-1, at LRA Field.

UNCP (8-6) fell in its third-straight game and suffered its first sweep of the season, while Wingate (12-2) logged its third sweep this year.

The Lady Braves tallied six hits as junior Brea Hartley led the way with a pair, while Whitney Jackson, Caitlin Steel, Shelby Holland and Karlee Wilson each posted one hit. Jackson opened the game with a single through the left side and scored on Steel's double to left center field to collect the only RBI for UNCP.

"You have to give a lot of credit to Wingate. They always find a way to get it done," said UNCP head coach Brittany Bennett. "It was definitely tough today and I didn't like how it ended, but we will go to work on it and figure it out."

The nationally-ranked Bulldogs totaled 13 hits with Olivia Smith leading the team with four, while also adding three RBI. Six other batters notched at least one run, while three different scored at least twice.

Junior Selena Ashley (5-2) spent the first five innings in the circle for UNCP, before being relieved by Katy Austin the in final inning. Ashely allowed seven runs (five earned) on 10 hits, while Austin gave up two earned runs on three hits. Wingate's Taylor Bates (4-2) went a complete game for the win after giving up one earned run on six hits with three walks.

The Lady Braves put runners on base in every inning and left nine on base including three in the sixth inning. Wingate took the lead in the third inning with three runs crossing home plate and put another four runs up for the 7-1 lead in the fourth, but ended the game early in the sixth with two final runs for the win.

The Braves will travel to Spartanburg, S.C., to face Mount Olive (8-9) on Friday for the three-day Mid-South Classic. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.