BOX SCORE

Brevard, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs scored two runs in the first inning and never trailed in defeating Brevard College 3-1 in game one of a three-game South Atlantic Conference baseball series Friday at Gil Coan Field on the BC campus. 

Wingate is 13-9 overall and 9-4 in the SAC. Brevard is 5-14 overall and 1-12 in the SAC. The BC Tornados and the Bulldogs conclude their series with a doubleheader Saturday. The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 12 noon. Game one is scheduled for nine innings, while game two is slated for seven innings.
In the top of the first, Bulldog sophomore shortstop Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) started the festivities with a lead-off single. Two outs later, sophomore outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) took a 1-0 Brennan Daniels’ 1-0 pitch deep over the wall in right field to put Wingate on top 2-0. McPherson finished the day with a two-for-three performance, adding two runs scored and two RBI. He has three home runs and 21 RBI in 2010.

The Tornados were held scoreless for the first three innings until Stephen Mullis and Jackie Corn hit consecutive doubles in the bottom of the fourth to bring Brevard within a run. Corn now has 12 RBI this season. Kramer Clark walked and advanced to second on a failed pickoff attempt with Corn winding up at third. Bulldog senior starter Tyler Almond (Oakboro, N.C.) got out of the jam, striking out Kellen Moman and Vance Crook and getting Matthew Pruitt to groundout to the pitcher.

Neither team scored again until Wingate added an insurance run in the eighth inning. With two out and no one on base, McPherson drew a walk on a full count and stole second. Bulldog redshirt freshman first basemen Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.) followed with a double to center to provide the final margin.

Moman made the defensive play of the day, robbing Vazquez of extra bases with a diving catch to end the seventh. Corn was stellar behind the plate, throwing out two would-be Bulldog base stealers.

Daniels (0-4 overall) had his best outing of the season in the loss, pitching 7 2/3 innings and striking out three. Almond (2-0 overall) worked seven innings and allowed five hits and an earned run while striking out six. Wingate freshman reliever Justin Somers (Wilmington, N.C.) pitched two scoreless innings to record his third save this season.