Game One Box Score       Game Two Box Score

Hickory, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs rallied for a 19-16 victory in game one of a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader against the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne University Saturday afternoon. Lenoir-Rhyne would go on to edge Wingate 5-4 in eight innings in the night cap, as the Bulldogs claimed the weekend series over the Bears. The Bulldogs are now 5-1 on the season and 2-1 in the SAC. Lenoir-Rhyne is 1-7 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

Game One: Wingate 19, Lenoir-Rhyne 16

Sophomore outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) and sophomore shortstop Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) each hit a grand slam, while combining to drive in 12 runs as the Bulldogs rallied for a thrilling victory in game one.

After falling behind by two in the second, the Bulldogs plated five runs in the third. McPherson’s grand slam highlighted the inning. The Bears regained the lead in the bottom of the inning, plating five runs of their own. Sophomore infielder Nick Verhein (Charlotte, N.C.) and junior outfielder Chris LaVenia (Clearwater, Fla.) each had two-run singles in the inning to make it 7-5.

A two-run double from freshman infielder Ben Adams (Orlando, Fla.) in the fifth put Lenoir-Rhyne on top by four.

The Bulldogs responded by scoring five runs in the top of the sixth. McPherson again delivered the big hit, a three-run triple to right field. He scored on a sacrifice fly from sophomore first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.) to put Wingate on top 10-9.

LRU regained the lead in the bottom of the inning, getting a sacrifice fly from Verhein, followed by an RBI single from senior infielder Hank Wofford (Clover, S.C.) to make it 11-10.

Wingate answered in the eighth, starting with an RBI walk from senior infielder Logan Isaacs (Wakefield, N.C.) to tie the game at 11. Vazquez would then blast a grand slam to left to put the Bulldogs on top 15-11. Redshirt senior Nick Siega-Riz (Clemmons, N.C.) added a solo homer to make it 16-11.

Verhein and Wofford each delivered RBI singles in the bottom of the eighth to make it 16-13. Wingate answered with three in the ninth, highlighted by RBI doubles from Vazquez and Siega-Riz to make it 19-13. The Bears scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth for the final margin of 19-16.

Freshman right-hander Justin Somers (Wilmington, N.C.) got the win for Wingate, improving to 2-0 on the season. He allowed two runs on one hit in two innings of work, while striking out one. Junior infielder Anthony Sully (Charlotte, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 0-1. He allowed five runs on two hits in one-third of an inning.

Game Two: Lenoir-Rhyne 5, Wingate 4 (Eight innings)

Sophomore infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) was two-for-three with a homer, two RBI and two runs scored, while sophomore infielder Matt Keeler (Davidson, N.C.) had a double and two RBI to lead the wingate offense. Senior shortstop Alex Cooks (Tampa, Fla.) was three-for-five with a double, RBI and two runs scored to lead Lenoir-Rhyne’s attack.

The Bears got two runs in the first inning, with the first scoring on a passed ball. Verhein then delivered an RBI single to make it 2-0. Lenoir-Rhyne took advantage of a Wingate error to plate another run in the third, making it 3-0.

Wingate got on the board in the fifth, scoring three times to tie the game. Karr got it started with an RBI single. Keeler then delivered a two-run double to make it 3-3.

Cooks led off the bottom of the fifth with a double, then scored on an RBI single from senior outfielder Evan Taylor (Charlotte, N.C.) to give the Bears a 4-3 lead.

With one out and the bases empty in the seventh, Karr blasted his first homer of the year to left center to tie the game at four and send it to extra innings.

The Bears got a pair of singles in the bottom of the eighth, and with two outs, Cooks singled to left center to give Lenoir-Rhyne the 5-4 victory.

Senior right-hander Brian Chandler (Lenoir, N.C.) got the win, improving to 1-1 on the year. He went 2.2 innings, allowing one run on two hits while striking out two. Senior right-hander Lee Oxendine (Laurinburg, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 1-1. He allowed one run on three hits in 2.2 innings while striking out one.

Wingate returns to action Tuesday, hosting Mount Olive at 2 p.m. The Bears are also in action Tuesday, hosting Limestone at 2 p.m.