WINGATE, NC – Senior second baseman Maddy Golka collected three hits and drove in four runs to help carry sixth-ranked Francis Marion University to a 7-4 win over Wingate University and a split of Saturday's (Feb. 28) non-conference doubleheader.  The Bulldogs won the opener 9-1.
 
Francis Marion (15-4) will open Conference Carolinas play on Tuesday when the Patriots host local-rival UNC Pembroke for a 4 p.m. doubleheader.
 
In the opening contest, Wingate hurler Lily Huneycutt (6-1) limited the Patriots to four hits.
 
A walk, a bunt single, a sacrifice bunt, and a sacrifice fly led to the Bulldogs' first run in the bottom of the first.  Wingate added two runs in the fourth and four more in the fifth to assume a 7-0 lead.
 
Senior right fielder Paige Strickland accounted for FMU's only run with an RBIs-single through the left side in the top of the sixth.
 
FMU senior southpaw Alyssa Poston (6-2) was the losing pitcher in game one.
 
In the second game, Golka went 3-for-4 and was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.  Junior designated hitter McKenzie Jewell was 2-for-3 with a homer and two runs scored.
 
In the third inning, senior shortstop Rylie Webster drew a one-out walk ahead of a two-run homer to left field by winning pitcher Jenna Walling.  Jewell followed with a solo shot to left center to up the advantage to 3-0.
 
Golka hit a solo homer to right center in the fourth as the lead climbed to 4-0.  Wingate answered with a homer in the bottom of the frame to trim the margin to 4-1.
 
The lead increased to 6-1 in the top of the fifth when Golka laced a two-run double to left center.  The Bulldogs plated three runs, two of which were unearned, in the bottom half of the frame to draw within 6-4.
 
Strickland doubled with one out in the seventh and scored on Golka's RBI-single to right center to account for the final run.
  
Walling (9-2) scattered 12 hits in her complete-game effort, while striking out two.
 
Jillian Thomas (2-2) was tagged with the game-two loss.