GAME ONE BOX SCORE      GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University junior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) had five hits, including a triple and a homer, and plated seven runs to lead the Bulldogs to a sweep over Augusta State University in NCAA Division II baseball action Saturday afternoon at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Bulldogs won game one 7-3, then won the second game 7-2 to improve to 7-1 overall. The Jaguars fall to 2-5 on the season.

Game #1
Wingate 7, Augusta State 3

McPherson was two-for-four with a grand slam, four RBI and two runs scored to spark the Wingate offense. Junior shortstop Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.), junior infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) and redshirt sophomore infielder James Tedder (Clemmons, N.C.) each had two hits, an RBI and run scored for the Bulldogs, who did all their damage in the fourth inning.

Sophomore outfielder Matt Smith (Aiken, S.C.) was four-for-four with an RBI to lead the Augusta State offense. Senior outfielder Alex Walker (Englewood, Fla.) added a pair of hits and a run scored, while senior infielder Andy Onufrak (Bridgeport, W.Va.) had two hits and an RBI for the Jaguars.

An RBI single from Smith in the fourth gave Augusta State a 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs had the answer, scoring seven times in the bottom of the inning. Karr got it started with an RBI single, followed by an RBI single from Tedder to put Wingate on top. Vazquez added an RBI single to make it 3-1, while McPherson followed with the big blow, a grand slam to right to put the Bulldogs on top by six.

McPherson’s blast is his second homer and second grand slam of the season. The Jaguars scored a run in the sixth on a Wingate error to cut the deficit to five. An RBI single from Onufrak in the ninth made it 7-3.

Senior left-hander Chris Nelson (Greenville, N.C.) got the win, improving to 2-0 on the season. He allowed one run on five hits in five innings of work, while striking out seven. Senior left-hander Joah Evans (Chauncey, Ga.) took the loss, falling to 1-1 on the season. He allowed five runs on six hits in three innings of work, striking out one.

Game #2
Wingate 7, Augusta State 2

McPherson was three-for-three with a triple and three RBI to lead the Bulldogs. Senior catcher Taylor Honeycutt (Indian Trail, N.C) was two-for-two with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Senior outfielder Cale Rogers (Snow Camp, N.C.) was two-for-four with a run scored.

Augusta State once again took the early lead, taking advantage of two Wingate errors to plate a run in the second to make it 1-0. The Bulldogs answered with two runs in the second. Jacob Karr led off the inning with a single and scored on an RBI groundout from redshirt sophomore infielder Joshua Karr (Richmond, Va.). Honeycutt lined an RBI double to deep left to put Wingate on top 2-1.

An RBI groundout from Onufrak tied the game at two in the top of the third. The Bulldogs regained a one-run lead in the fourth when redshirt sophomore first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.) drew a bases-loaded walk.

The Bulldogs added four runs in the fifth. Vazquez got it started by drawing a bases-loaded walk to make it 4-2. McPherson followed with a bases-clearing three-run triple to right center, putting Wingate on top 7-2.

Junior right-hander Justin Nygard (Wilson, N.C.) got the win, improving to 1-0 on the season. He allowed one earned run on three hits in six innings of work, while striking out seven. Sophomore right-hander Scott Shipman (Waxhaw, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 0-1 on the season. He allowed three runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings of work, striking out six.

The two teams meet again Sunday at 1 p.m. for the series finale at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. 

(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.)