Box Score

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs scored early and often, defeating Catawba College 21-9 in South Atlantic Conference baseball action Saturday afternoon at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Bulldogs improve to 11-7 overall and 8-3 in the SAC, while Catawba falls to 18-7 overall and 5-6 in the conference.

Sophomore outfielder Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.) was three-for-six with two doubles, five RBI and three runs scored. Sophomore infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) went four-for-five with a homer, three RBI and four runs scored. Sophomores Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) and Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) each had two hits and two RBI, while scoring five times combined. Every Wingate starter either scored or drove in a run on Saturday.

Freshman designated hitter Garrett Furr (Gold Hill, N.C.) had a double and three RBI to lead the Catawba offense. Junior outfielder John Carroll Neese (Summerfield, N.C.) went three-for-four with an RBI and two runs scored for the Catawba Indians.

Catawba got on the board first when senior outfielder Wade Moore (Salisbury, N.C.) blasted a leadoff homer to dead center. The Bulldogs answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first via a two-run homer from Karr.

Wingate plated three runs in the second, getting a two-run double from Allison. He would score on a Catawba error to make it 5-1. Catawba scored four in the third to tie it, with the big blow coming on a bases-clearing three-run double from Furr.

The Bulldogs reclaimed the lead in the fourth, plating seven runs. McPherson got it started with a two-run single, followed by an RBI single from Vazquez. A two-run double from junior catcher Taylor Honeycutt (Indian Trail, N.C.) made it 10-5. Allison capped the inning with a two-run double to put Wingate on top by seven.

The Indians scored two in the fifth, highlighted by a solo homer from junior catcher Josh Hohn (Greensboro, N.C.) to make it 12-7.

Wingate responded by plating five more runs in the bottom of the fifth. Junior designated hitter Tres Ramirez (Ocala, Fla.) drove home a run with an RBI double, followed by a two-run double from Honeycutt. Allison added an RBI single to put the Bulldogs on top 17-7.

Catawba would get no closer than eight the rest of the way. Vazquez added an RBI double, while Allison added another RBI single in the seventh.

Senior right-hander Dusty White (Charlotte, N.C.) got the win, improving to 1-1 on the season. He allowed four runs on six hits in 5.1 innings of work while striking out two. Senior right-hander Travis McSweeney (Palm Harbor, Fla.) took the loss, allowing three runs in one inning of work, falling to 1-2 on the season.

Catawba and Wingate meet again Sunday for the series finale, starting at 1 p.m. The Wingate Sports Network will provide a pay-per-view video broadcast for Sunday’s contest.