Wingate, N.C.----Trailing 7-3 with two outs in the final inning of game two, Wingate University sophomore shortstop Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) blasted a grand slam down the left field line to tie it at seven. The dramatic shot helped the Bulldogs rally for an 8-7 victory and weekend South Atlantic Conference baseball sweep over Tusculum College Saturday. Wingate won the first game 7-4; the Bulldogs now sit in a first-place tie with a 7-2 SAC record. Wingate is 10-5 overall, while Tusculum falls to 7-10 overall and 3-6 in the SAC.

Game #1 
Wingate 7, Tusculum 4     BOX SCORE

Vazquez, sophomore outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) and redshirt freshman first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.) drove in two runs each for the Bulldogs. Sophomore infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) came off the bench to go two-for-two with a double and two runs scored.

Freshman infielder Matt Henriksen (Hingham, Mass.) went three-for-four with two runs scored to lead the Tusculum offense. Junior catcher Sean Cotton (Mooresville, N.C.) was one-for-four with two RBI.

The Bulldogs got on the board in the third, plating five runs on six hits. McPherson got it started with a two-run double to right center. Yeung followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0. Vazquez capped the scoring with a two-out, two-run single to put the Bulldogs on top by five. Wingate added a run in the fifth when Karr led off the inning with a double, then scored on an RBI groundout from Yeung to make it 6-0.

The Pioneers got on the board in the sixth, getting a two-run single from Cotton to cut the lead to four. Wingate answered in the seventh on an RBI single from sophomore infielder Matt Keeler (Davidson, N.C.), making it 7-2.

Tusculum scored a run in the eighth on an RBI single from senior outfielder Jared Richmond (Fort Smith, Ark.) to cut the lead to four. The Pioneers scored one final run in the ninth on an RBI groundout by sophomore infielder Aaron Guinn (Norris, Tenn.).

Junior left-hander Chris Nelson (Greenville, N.C.) got the win for the Bulldogs, improving to 2-0 overall on the season. He allowed two runs on three hits in six innings of work, striking out six and walking two. Wingate freshman right-hander Justin Somers (Wilmington, N.C.) pitched the final three innings, allowing one earned run on three hits and striking out five to earn his first save of the year. TC sophomore right-hander Taylor Rakes (Norcross, Ga.) took the loss, allowing six earned runs on 13 hits in 6 1/3 innings, falling to 1-1 overall on the season.

Game #2 
Wingate 8, Tusculum 7 (eight innings)     BOX SCORE

The Bulldogs pounded out 17 hits, led by a four-for-five day from McPherson. Vazquez was three-for-four with four RBI and two runs scored. Karr went three-for-five with an RBI and run scored, while sophomore outfielder Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.) had two hits and two runs scored.

Cotton led the Tusculum attack, going one-for-three with a homer and three RBI. Richmond also had a homer while driving in two and scoring two.

The Pioneers jumped out to a quick start, scoring two runs in the first inning on a two-run shot from Richmond, his seventh of the year. Wingate cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single from Karr.

The Bulldogs took a 3-2 lead in the second on a two-run double from senior infielder Logan Isaacs (Raleigh, N.C.). The Pioneers responded in the third, tying it on an RBI single from senior infielder Paul Finger (Lincolnton, N.C.).

Tusculum regained the lead in the fourth, plating four runs. Cotton provided the big blow, a three-run homer to right field. Senior outfielder Nate Grabowski (Pennellville, N.Y.) followed with a triple down the right field line; he scored on a sacrifice fly from senior catcher Sean Finucane (Cortland, N.Y.), putting the Pioneers on top 7-3.

The Pioneer outburst would be all of the scoring until the bottom of the seventh. Allison got it started with a single, while Karr followed with a single. After a popout and strikeout, Keeler was hit by a pitch to bring the tying run to the plate. Vazquez lined the 1-0 pitch down the left field line, clearing the fence for his third homer of the season and his second grand slam.

After a scoreless top of the eighth, the first two Bulldogs were retired in the bottom of the inning. Allison and Karr once again got the rally started with back-to-back singles. After a balk moved runners to second and third, McPherson blooped the 1-2 pitch over the infield. The flare plated Allison for the game winner. The clutch single is McPherson’s second walk-off hit in as many nights.

Senior right-hander Lee Oxendine (Laurinburg, N.C.) got the win, improving to 2-1 overall on the year. He pitched the final three scoreless innings for the Bulldogs, allowing only one hit while striking out one and walking three. Sophomore right-hander Michael Franklin (Kings Mountain, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 0-1 overall on the season. He allowed one run on three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Wingate returns to action Wednesday, hosting UNC Pembroke at 5 p.m. Wingate entertains Barton College in a make-up contest Thursday at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs return to conference play Friday night, hosting Catawba College at 7 p.m. The two teams will meet for a doubleheader Saturday, with game one starting at 1 p.m. Tusculum returns to action Tuesday, traveling to St. Andrews Presbyterian College for a 2 p.m. start. The Pioneers will host Carson-Newman College in a three-game SAC series next weekend.

(Wingate University assistant sports information director Hugh Patton wrote this article. Patton is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies.)