BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs scored nine runs in the first four innings, jumping out to an eight-run lead en route to a 9-7 victory over the Tornados of Brevard College in South Atlantic Conference baseball action Friday night at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Bulldogs improve to 28-20 overall and 15-10 in the SAC, while Brevard falls to 13-26 overall and 5-19 in the SAC.

Junior infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) went three-for-three with a double and two runs scored to lead the Wingate offense. Junior infielder Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.), junior outfielder Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.) and redshirt sophomore infielder James Tedder (Clemmons, N.C.) each had two RBI and a run scored for the Bulldogs.

Sophomore catcher Christian Christopoulos (Raleigh, N.C.) had a homer and three RBI to lead the Brevard attack. Junior infielder Steele Myers (Chapel Hill, N.C.) had a homer and two RBI for the Tornados, while junior infielder Kramer Clark (Candler, N.C.) was two-for-four with two runs scored.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick lead, plating four runs in the first. Senior outfielder Cale Rogers (Snow Camp, N.C.) led off the inning with a triple, then scored on a sacrifice fly from Vazquez. Allison added an RBI double, while RBI singles from Shelton and Tedder made it 4-0.

The Tornados answered with a run in the second via an RBI single from freshman outfielder Champ Stuart (Freeport, Bahamas). The Bulldogs responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame to push the lead to five. Yeung drove home the first run of the inning with his nation’s best 24th double of the year, while extending his hitting streak to 15 games. He would score on a sacrifice fly from Allison to make the score 6-1.

Wingate scored two more runs in the third. Vazquez drove in the first run, reaching on an error, while a sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) made the margin 8-1. Karr led off the fourth with a double, then scored on a sacrifice fly from Tedder give the ‘Dogs a 9-1 advantage.

A two-run homer from Christopoulos in the sixth made it 9-3. He added a sacrifice fly in the eighth to cut the deficit to five. The Tornados scored three more runs in the ninth to cut the final deficit to two. The first two runs scored on the two-run homer from Myers. The final run scored via a Wingate error, making the final 9-7.

Senior left-hander Chris Nelson (Greeneville, N.C.) celebrated Senior Night with a victory, going 5 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits. Nelson struck out eight, improving to 4-3 on the year. Senior right-hander Cameron Falcon (Durham, N.C.) got the final two outs in the ninth, nailing down his first save of the year. Sophomore right-hander Joseph Lepore (Beverly Hills, Fla.) took the loss, allowing eight runs on eight hits in 2 1/3 innings of work.

Seven seniors were honored in pre-game ceremonies Friday. In addition to Rogers, Nelson and Falcon, the Wingate family celebrated the evening with pitcher Drew Boyer (Millet, Alberta), catcher Taylor Honeycutt (Indian Trail, N.C.), infielder Tyler Womer (New Castle, Pa.) and outfielder Brandon Santiago (Monroe, N.C.).

The two teams will meet again Saturday for a doubleheader, with game one starting at 1 p.m. The twin bill will conclude the SAC regular season for both teams.

(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.)