Box Score

Wingate, N.C.----The Mars Hill College Lions pounded out 20 hits en route to a 17-6 victory over the Wingate University Bulldogs in South Atlantic Conference baseball action Sunday afternoon at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Lions improve to 7-4 overall and 4-2 in the SAC. Wingate falls to 7-4 on the season and 4-2 in the conference.

Every starter for the Lions scored a run on Sunday. Senior outfielder Brandon Savoca (Riegelwood, N.C.) went four-for-five with an RBI and three runs scored. Senior infielder Devin Presnell (Boone, N.C.) was three-for-six with a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore infielder Rob Dobbins (Greenville, S.C.) and junior infielder Jared Yanniello (Old Forge, Pa.) drove in three runs each for Mars Hill.

Sophomore outfielder Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.) had a homer and two RBI to lead the Wingate offense. Sophomore infielder Logan Isaacs (Wakefield, N.C.) was two-for-three with a homer and two runs scored for the Bulldogs.

The Lions plated three runs in the first inning, with the big blow coming on a two-run single from Dobbins. The Bulldogs answered back, scoring a run in the second to make it 3-1. Freshman catcher Taylor Honeycutt (Indian Trail, N.C.) led off the third inning with a solo homer to cut the lead to one. The Bulldogs tied it on a sacrifice fly from Allison.

Mars Hill answered with three runs in the bottom of the third. Sophomore infielder Michael Bueker (Cooper City, Fla.) had a two-run single, while the third run scored on a Wingate error. The Lions took an 8-3 lead in the fourth, getting RBI groundouts from Dobbins and Yanniello.

Wingate scored a run in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice fly from freshman pitcher Ethan Strickland (Dunn, N.C.). Mars Hill again had the answer, scoring six runs in the bottom of the inning. Presnell and junior designated hitter Adam Lewis (MacClenny, Fla.) each had two-run singles in the inning.

Allison blasted a solo homer in the seventh to make it 14-5. Yanniello made it 15-5 with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning. The Bulldogs got another solo homerun in the eighth, this one off the bat of Isaacs to make it 15-6. Mars Hill scored two final runs in the bottom of the eighth, with Savoca driving in the game’s final run on an RBI single.

Freshman right-hander Kevin Searcy (Hendersonville, N.C.) got the win for the Lions. He allowed five runs on eight hits in seven innings of work, improving to 2-0 on the year. Strickland took the loss for the Bulldogs, falling to 1-2 on the season. He allowed three runs on one hit in one-third of an inning.

The Bulldogs return to action Tuesday, hosting Lake Erie (Ohio) for a doubleheader. Game one is set to start at 2 p.m. Mars Hill hosts California (Pa.) Monday at 1 p.m.