GAME ONE BOX       GAME TWO BOX

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University freshman outfielder Thomas Spitz (West Chester, Pa.) delivered with a two-out game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning to cap Wingate’s rally, as the Bulldogs overcame a 5-3 deficit to win 6-5 in game two of an NCAA Division II baseball doubleheader Saturday afternoon against number one Mount Olive College. The Trojans won the first game 13-8. Wingate is now 5-1 on the season, while Mount Olive is 4-1 overall.
 
Game One: Mount Olive 13, Wingate 8
 
Mount Olive College junior catcher Geno Escalante (Fairfield, Calif.) was two-for-five with two RBI and a run scored to lead the offense. Junior infielder Mike Mercurio (Brewster, N.Y.) and senior outfielder Antonio Callaway (Lawrenceville, Ga.) each had two hits and two RBI for the Trojans.
 
Junior catcher Jason Hunter (West Chester, Pa.) had a homer and two RBI to lead the Wingate attack, while Spitz and senior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) each had two RBI and a run scored for the Bulldogs.
 
The Trojans got off to a quick start, scoring five times in the top of the first. Escalante and Mercurio started the scoring with back-to-back RBI singles, while an RBI double from junior first baseman Daniel Oliver (Plymouth, N.C.) capped the scoring in the opening inning, making it 5-0.
 
Wingate got on the board in the second via an RBI single from Hunter. Mount Olive had the answer, scoring four more runs in the third to push the lead to eight. An RBI double from sophomore outfielder Will Bynum (Stantonsburg, N.C.) started the scoring in the frame, while Mercurio added a two-run single to make it 9-1.
 
The Trojans added another run in the fourth to make it 10-1, while an RBI single from senior outfielder Eric Rogers (Clearwater, Fla.), followed by an RBI groundout from Escalante made it 12-1 in the fifth.
 
Hunter’s second homer of the year in the bottom of the fifth made it 12-2. The Trojans pushed the lead back to 11 in the top of the eighth via a Wingate error.
 
The Bulldogs mounted a rally in the ninth, scoring six times to make the final 13-8. The first two hitters of the inning reached via a walk and error, while freshman outfielder Will Sapp (Salisbury, N.C.) lined an RBI double to left to start the scoring. An RBI groundout plated the second run, while a two-run single from Spitz made it a seven-run game. McPherson ripped a two-run double to right center to cap the scoring in game one.
 
Senior right-hander Jake Moser (Spring Creek, Nev.) got the win for the Trojans, improving to 2-0 on the year. He allowed one earned run on four hits in seven innings of work, striking out six. Sophomore right-hander Ben Currie (Clemmons, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 1-1. He allowed eight runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings of work, striking out one and walking five.
 
Game Two: Wingate 6, Mount Olive 5
 
Six different Bulldogs had a hit in game two, with senior infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) driving in a pair of runs. Sapp went one-for-one with an RBI and a run scored for the Bulldogs.
 
Senior catcher Nick Gaeta (Montville, N.J.) had a double and three RBI to lead the Trojan offense.
 
The Trojans once again got on the board early, scoring a run in the top of the first on an RBI double from Escalante. Wingate had the immediate answer, scoring twice in the bottom of the inning to take the lead. Karr delivered a two-out, two-run single up the middle to put the ‘Dogs on top 2-1.
 
Mount Olive tied it in the fourth when sophomore infielder Bradon Reitano (Hillsborough, N.C.) led off the inning with a walk, stole second, then scored on an RBI groundout to make it 2-2. The Trojans regained the lead in the fifth, loading the bases with two outs for the pinch-hitter Gaeta, who ripped a bases-clearing double to right center to put Mount Olive on top 5-2.
 
The Bulldogs got one run back in the sixth. Hunter led off the inning with a single, then scored on a sacrifice fly from senior infielder Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.), making it a two-run game heading to the final inning.
 
The bottom of the seventh began with a strikeout. Senior outfielder Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.) started the rally with an infield single, while Karr followed with a walk. Another strikeout put the Bulldogs down to their last out, with three freshmen due up. Sapp ripped an RBI single through the left side to get Wingate to within a run. Freshman infielder Michael Godinez (Cutler Bay, Fla.), followed by hitting a high chopper on the left side, which was thrown away, allowing the tying run to score. Spitz followed by ripping a 1-0 pitch through the right side, giving the Bulldogs the dramatic 6-5 victory.
 
Sophomore right-hander Olen Little (Charlotte, N.C.) got the win, tossing two shutout innings in relief, striking out four while allowing only one hit to move to 1-0 on the year. Junior right-hander Talton Cherry (Greenville, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 0-1 on the season. He allowed three runs on three hits in 1 2/3 innings of work.
 
The Bulldogs and Trojans conclude the three-game series Sunday afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field.