WINGATE AND BLUE HOSE SPLIT SAC BASEBALL DOUBLEHEADER
WINGATE, N.C. – The Wingate University baseball team split a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader with Presbyterian College Saturday at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field on the Wingate campus. Wingate won the opener 3-2, while Presbyterian took game two 4-2.Wingate is 10-22 overall and 2-6 in the SAC. Presbyterian is 9-23 on the season and 1-7 in the SAC. The two teams will play the final game of the three-game series Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Game #1 - Wingate 3, Presbyterian 2 (Box Score)
Wingate scored two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth to take the come-from-behind victory. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Bulldog junior first baseman Josh Benton (Gold Hill, N.C.) led off with a single. Freshman pinch-hitter Trey McMenamin (Clifton, Va.) reached on an error during a sacrifice bunt, putting two runners on base.
Benton scored the winning run from second base, as Presbyterian sophomore starting pitcher Eric Tatum (Buford, Ga.) threw wildly to first base on a sacrifice bunt attempt by freshman outfielder Nick Siega-Riz (Clemmons, N.C.). The Blue Hose made four errors in the first game, including two in the fateful ninth inning.
The Bulldogs tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Wingate senior third baseman Tim Bowman (Winston-Salem, N.C.) started the frame with a single. Freshman shortstop Michael Parker (Snow Camp, N.C.) walked to put runners on first and second.
Freshman outfielder John Kellett (Huntersville, N.C.) sacrificed the runners up one base each. Bulldog senior outfielder Bryan Baylis (Pocomoke City, Md.) reached on an RBI infield single to score Bowman. Parker scored on a sacrifice fly by junior second baseman Brent “Bruiser” Simpson (Wadesboro, N.C.).
Presbyterian took a 2-0 lead with single runs in the top of the seventh and eighth innings. Blue Hose sophomore outfielder Casey Carlson (Lexington, S.C.) started the seventh by reaching on an error. Carlson moved to second base on a sacrifice and advanced to third on a single by sophomore designated hitter Kyle Craven (Savannah, Ga.).
After a walk loaded the bases, Carlson scored on a sacrifice fly by senior outfielder Nick Hoffner (Ellicott City, Md.). Carlson played a role in Presbyterian’s eighth inning run as well. With two outs in the eighth, senior second baseman Evan Sowell (Chesterfield, S.C.) singled. Carlson followed with an RBI double to plate Sowell and put Presbyterian ahead 2-0.
The late-inning fireworks spoiled an exceptional pitcher’s duel between PC’s Tatum and Wingate senior right-hander Chad Yow (Stanfield, N.C.). Tatum was the tough-luck loser, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits. He struck out one and walked one.
Yow evened his 2006 record at 4-4 overall with the complete game win. In nine innings, Yow allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits. He struck out four and walked three.
Bowman led Wingate at the plate, going two-for-two with a double and one run scored. Three other Bulldogs had one hit each. Craven was three-for-four with three singles.
Game #2 - Presbyterian 4, Wingate 2 (Box Score)
Presbyterian scored a run in the sixth to break a 2-2 tie and pick up its first SAC win of the season. The Blue Hose scored the deciding run on an RBI double from sophomore first baseman Russell Robinson (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.).
Presbyterian tallied in the first inning, after Carlson led off the game with a double in the gap in right center field. Craven would plate Carlson on a groundout to third. In the fifth inning, the Blue Hose would lengthen the lead to 2-0 when Sowell stole home on a double steal.
Wingate would tie the game in the bottom half on the fifth inning with RBI from Parker and Kellett.
After Presbyterian gained the lead in the sixth, the Blue Hose would add an insurance run the top of the seventh on another RBI off the bat of Robinson.
For Presbyterian, Carlson, Hoffner and Robinson had two hits each. Robinson led the way with three RBI. The Bulldogs were led by Bowman’s two hits and one run scored in the nightcap.
Presbyterian sophomore pitcher Andrew Cockerham (Millers Creek, N.C.) picked up the win in relief for the Blue Hose, improving his record to 3-1 overall. Cockerham pitched 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. He struck out one and walked one, allowing only one harmless single.
Bulldog freshman pitcher Zak Laws (Lenoir, N.C.) falls to 1-2 overall on the season with the loss. In 5 2/3 innings, Laws gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits. He struck out two and walked three.