GAME ONE BOX SCORE          GAME TWO BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University redshirt sophomore first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.) blasted a walk-off two-run homer in game one, while the Bulldogs scored five runs in the sixth inning of game two to rally for a pair of wins Saturday afternoon over the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne University in South Atlantic Conference baseball action at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. Wingate won the first game 8-7, while winning game two 9-8 to improve to 19-10 overall and 8-4 in the SAC. The Bears are 4-22 overall and 2-9 in the conference.

 

Yeung went three-for-five with a double, homer, three RBI and two runs scored to lead the Wingate offense. Junior infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) was two-for-four with a double, two RBI and run scored, while freshman infielder Cody Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) also had a pair of hits and an RBI. Junior shortstop Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) scored three times for the Bulldogs, while junior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) had a pair of hits and a run scored.

 

Senior outfielder Stephen Andrews (Winston-Salem, N.C.) had a homer and three RBI to lead the LRU attack. Senior catcher Brian Dice (Hickory, N.C.) and freshman outfielder Walton Shepherd (Lake Junaluska, N.C.) each had a hit, RBI and run scored for the Bears.

 

The Bears got off to a quick start, plating six runs in the first inning. Dice got it started with an RBI single, while Shepherd added another RBI single. Andrews provided the big blow of the inning, a three-run homer to right to make it 6-0.

 

The ‘Dogs answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, starting with an RBI double from Yeung. An RBI single from junior outfielder Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.) cut the lead to four. Wingate added two more runs in the fourth to cut the deficit to two. Karr drove home both runs in the inning with a two-run double to left center to make it 6-4.

 

The Bears added a run to their lead in the seventh, when freshman infielder Mike Gasque (Mebane, N.C.) led off the inning with a double, then scored on an RBI groundout.

 

Senior catcher Taylor Honeycutt (Indian Trail, N.C.) led off the seventh inning with a solo homer, his fifth of the season to make it 7-5. An RBI single from Shelton in the eighth brought the Bulldogs to within one at 7-6.

 

Senior outfielder Cale Rogers (Snow Camp, N.C.) led off the ninth with a single, but was thrown out when Vazquez reached on a bunt. McPherson followed with a flyout, bringing up Yeung with two outs and a runner on first. The preseason All-SAC selection blasted an 0-1 pitch over the fence and into the Wingate bullpen, giving the Bulldogs their only lead of the game at 8-7.

 

Freshman right-hander Stephen Vaughan (Wilmington, N.C.) got the win in relief, improving to 1-1 on the year. He pitched the final two innings without allowing a hit, striking out two. Sophomore right-hander Christian Hicks (Charlotte, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 1-3 on the season. He allowed eight runs (six earned) on 14 hits in 8 2/3 innings of work.

 

Yeung had a triple, homer, four RBI and three runs scored, while Allison went four-for-four with a double, homer and four RBI to spark the Wingate attack in game two. Rogers went three-for-four with two runs scored, while Vazquez had a pair of hits and a run scored. Shelton went two-for-three with a run scored.

 

Senior outfielder Chris LaVenia (Clearwater, Fla.) was three-for-four with three RBI to lead the LRU attack. Shepherd added a double, two RBI and run scored, while Andrews had a homer and RBI for the Bears.

 

The Bears once again took an early lead, scoring twice in the second inning. LaVenia drove home the first run with an RBI single, while the second run scored on a sacrifice fly from Gasque.

 

Wingate got one run back in the second when Yeung led off the inning with a homer to right center, his third of the year. The Bears answered with a  run in the third, via a solo shot to center from Andrews to make it 3-1.

 

The Bulldogs answered with three runs in the bottom of the third to take the lead. Yeung drove home the first run with an RBI single. Allison followed with a two-run double to left to give Wingate a 4-3 lead.

 

Lenoir-Rhyne regained the lead in the fifth, scoring five runs. Senior infielder Anthony Sully (Charlotte, N.C.) drove home the first run with an RBI single. Shepherd added a two-run double down the left field line to put the Bears on top 6-4. A two-run single from LaVenia gave LRU an 8-4 advantage.

 

The Bulldogs once again had the answer, scoring five runs in the sixth to take the lead. Shelton, Rogers and Vazquez all reached on singles to load the bases.  McPherson drove home the first run with an RBI groundout. Yeung followed with a two-run triple to center to cut the lead to one. Allison put the ‘Dogs back on top by lining a two-run homer to left center, his team-best sixth homer of the year to make it 9-8.

 

Freshman left-hander Bryce Danielson (Horse Shoe, N.C.) picked up the win in relief, improving to 3-1 on the year. He pitched 1 2/3 innings without allowing a hit, striking out one. Freshman right-hander Ben Currie (Clemmons, N.C.) pitched a scoreless seventh to notch his second save of the year. Sophomore right-hander Jared Carroll (Bladenboro, N.C.) took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in one-third of an inning, falling to 0-1 on the year.

 

The Bulldogs return to action Tuesday, traveling to Belmont Abbey for a 3 p.m. start. Wingate returns home Friday night, hosting Newberry at 6 p.m. Lenoir-Rhyne hosts Limestone Tuesday at 3 p.m.