BOX SCORE
Wingate, N.C.----The 20th-ranked UNC Pembroke Braves used a three-run sixth inning to overcome a one-run deficit and held on to beat the Wingate University Bulldogs 6-4 in NCAA Division II baseball action Monday night at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The loss snaps a nine-game winning streak for the Bulldogs. The UNCP Braves have won 13 straight contests.
The Braves would get on the scoreboard in the top of the first with an RBI single by junior infielder Jason Coker (Charlotte, N.C.) to score sophomore shortstop Aaron Parnell (Benson, N.C.), who started the game with a single.
Wingate would answer in their half of the opening inning. Sophomore shortstop and Bulldog lead-off hitter Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) earned a walk from Braves freshman starter Andrew MacDonald (Pinebluff, N.C.). After advancing to third base on a double by senior second baseman Logan Isaacs (Raleigh, N.C.), Vazquez would score on an RBI groundout from sophomore right fielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.).
The Braves wasted no time getting back on the board, plating two runs in the second. Sophomore right fielder Josh Haley (Fayetteville, N.C.) opened the inning with his second triple of the season. Haley would score a batter later on a single by junior center fielder Kenny Mickens (Las Vegas, Calif.). Later, Mickens would score on a two-out triple by Parnell to give the Braves a 3-1 lead.
Wingate took the lead in the fifth, beginning the frame with a one-out single by Vazquez. Isaacs would single following Vazquez to end MacDonald’s outing. Sophomore third baseman Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) singled to score Vazquez, with Isaacs following him home as McPherson reached base on a UNC Pembroke error. Bulldog junior DH Tres Ramirez (Ocala, Fla.) would bring Karr home on a single.
Trailing 4-3 entering the sixth, the Braves began the inning with Haley working a walk from Bulldog junior starter Cale Rogers (Snow Camp, N.C.). Haley stole second and scored on a Mickens double to tie the game at four, chasing Rogers from the game. UNCP junior left fielder Keith Whitman (Elkin, N.C.) greeted new Wingate pitcher Drew Boyer (Millet, Alberta, Canada) rudely, singling up the middle to score Mickens and giving UNCP a 5-4 advantage. Senior pinch-runner Derek Funk (Asheboro, N.C.) scored the game’s final run on a fielder’s choice by Parnell.
The Bulldogs threatened in both the eighth and ninth innings. In the eighth inning, Wingate had runners on first and second with one out. Braves reliever Rudy Brown got Wingate redshirt senior center fielder Nick Siega-Riz (Clemmons, N.C.) and sophomore pinch hitter Josh Sugg (Raleigh, N.C.) to strike out, ending the inning. Junior Brian Willis (Hope Mills, N.C.) would pitch the ninth for UNCP, giving up a hit but retiring the last two Bulldog batters to earn his sixth save of the season.
Sophomore Brantley Hattrich (Matthews, N.C.) earned his first win of the season for the Braves. Hattrich pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up a run on two hits with two strikeouts. Rogers takes the loss for Wingate, dropping to 2-2 overall after a five-inning outing in which he surrendered five earned runs on eight hits with three strikeouts. Isaacs had a perfect day for the Bulldogs, going four-for-four with three singles, a double and a run scored. McPherson had two RBI for the Bulldogs.
Wingate will hit the road Tuesday, visiting Barton College for a 7 p.m. contest in historic Fleming Stadium. The Bulldogs host number 22 Erskine College on Wednesday. First pitch between the Bulldogs and Flying Fleet is scheduled for 7 p.m. UNC Pembroke visits Lenoir-Rhyne University Wednesday at 4 p.m.
(Wingate University sophomore Steven Grandy contributed this article. Grandy is a Sport Management major from Raleigh, N.C.)
