Newberry, S.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs pounded out 34 hits as they swept a doubleheader over Newberry College in South Atlantic Conference baseball action Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs won by scores of 11-4 and 15-2 to improve to 19-10 overall and 14-4 in the conference. For Wingate, it is the second consecutive SAC series sweep, and third of the season. The Bulldogs have scored 66 runs in their last four games, all victories. Newberry falls to 12-20 overall and 1-14 in the league.

Game #1: Wingate 11, Newberry 4       BOX SCORE 

Sophomore shortstop Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) went five-for-six with a homer, double, two RBI and four runs scored to lead the Wingate offense. Redshirt senior outfielder Nick Siega-Riz (Clemmons, N.C.) was three-for-five with an RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) had a double, three RBI and two runs scored, while sophomore infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) added a double, two RBI and two runs scored. Wingate had 19 hits in game one, six of which were extra-base hits.

Junior outfielder Sanchez Gartman (Newberry, S.C.) led the Newberry offense, going one-for-one with two RBI. Senior outfielder Terrence Gray (Newberry, S.C.) added an RBI and a run scored for the scarlet-and-gray.

The Bulldogs got on the board early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Vazquez led off the game with a single, then scored on an RBI double from Karr. Karr would score on an RBI single from McPherson. Junior designated hitter Tres Ramirez (Ocala, Fla.) drove home McPherson with an RBI single to make it 3-0.

An RBI single from freshman infielder Evan Darr (North Augusta, S.C.) in the bottom of the first cut Wingate’s lead to two. The Bulldogs pushed the lead back to three when Siega-Riz led off the fourth with a single, then scored on a Newberry error. An RBI single from Siega-Riz in the fifth made it 5-1.

Gray cut the lead back to three in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single. The Bulldogs again had the answer, with Vazquez scoring on an RBI single from Karr in the top of the sixth to make it 6-2.

A two-run single from Gartman pulled the scarlet-and-gray within two in the seventh inning. Wingate responded with two runs in the top of the eighth on a two-run double from McPherson.

The Bulldogs added three more runs in the ninth, highlighted by a two-run homer from Vazquez for the final 11-4 margin.

Junior left-hander Chris Nelson (Greenville, N.C.) got the win, improving to 4-0 on the year. He allowed four runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings of work while striking out three. Freshman right-hander Justin Somers (Wilmington, N.C.) got the save, pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings while striking out two, notching his fourth save of the year. Senior right-hander Dale Bennett (Summerville, S.C.) took the loss, falling to 2-5 on the season. He allowed eight runs on 16 hits in 7 1/3 innings of work.

Game #2: Wingate 15, Newberry 2       BOX SCORE 

Siega-Riz had two triples and four RBI to lead the Wingate offense in game two. Senior infielder Logan Isaacs (Raleigh, N.C.) was two-for-four with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored. McPherson had two RBI and two runs scored, while sophomore outfielder Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.) had two doubles and scored three runs.

The Bulldogs once again got off to a quick starting, scoring four runs in the first. Vazquez was hit by a pitch to start the game, then went to third on a double from Isaacs. McPherson drove both of them in with a double to right field. Ramirez added another two-run double to make it 4-0.

Wingate blew the game open with seven runs in the third. The Bulldogs loaded the bases via three walks to start the inning. Redshirt freshman first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.) drove home the first run with an RBI single. Siega-Riz followed with a three-run triple to make it 8-0. Isaacs blasted a three-run homer to right to put Wingate on top by 11.

Newberry scored a run in the third, thanks to a pair of Wingate errors. The Bulldogs responded with a run in the fifth, thanks to an RBI single from Vazquez to make it 12-1. An RBI single from Yeung, followed by another RBI triple from Siega-Riz gave Wingate a 14-1 advantage.

Newberry scored its second run of the game on an RBI single from junior outfielder Keke Wadsworth (Pomaria, S.C.) in the sixth. The Bulldogs answered in the seventh on an RBI single from junior outfielder Cale Rogers (Snow Camp, N.C.) for the final margin of 15-2.

Junior right-hander Marc Rape (Lancaster, S.C.) got the win, improving to 2-1 on the year. He allowed one unearned run on one hit in four innings of work, while striking out three. Senior right-hander Gary Hersey (Key West, Fla.) took the loss, falling to 0-1 on the year. He allowed seven runs on five hits in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Wingate returns to action Monday, hosting Limestone College at 6 p.m. The Bulldogs return to conference action Friday, April 2, hosting Lincoln Memorial at 7 p.m. The teams meet for a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. Newberry travels to Lenoir-Rhyne Monday at 4 p.m.