WINGATE, NC - For the 12th time in school history, the Lenoir-Rhyne softball team will be playing for a chance at a conference title. This year's contest against Wingate will be a rematch of last year's title, which the Bears pulled out in a 3-2, eight inning thriller. 

Originally scheduled for noon, the game has been moved to an 11 a.m. start from Wingate. 

The Bears reached this championship game with two wins over (7) Emory & Henry last week, a win over (3) Lincoln Memorial yesterday, and a 4-1 victory over (1) Wingate earlier today. The pitching for the Bears has been outstanding during this four-game stretch, as the duo of Madison Wilson and Faith Carrigan have allowed just five total runs. The highlight of this stretch was a Carrigan no-hitter in a 9-0 win over Emory & Henry last Sunday. 

Wingate, the regular season SAC champions, reached tomorrow's game with two wins over (8) Mars Hill, a 3-2 victory against Carson-Newman, the loss to the Bears, and a 5-0 win against Lincoln Memorial earlier tonight. The Bulldogs, ranked #3 in the Southeast Region, currently sport a record of 37-20 and finished with an 18-6 conference record. These teams split the regular season series in Hickory. The Bears and Bulldogs have met 22 times in the SAC Tournament, with LR holding a 13-9 lead in the series. 

Should Wingate win the opener, an if-necessary, winner take all contest would follow at 1:30 p.m.