Florence, S.C.----Sophomore right-hander Olen Little (Charlotte, N.C.) and two relievers combined on a four-hit shutout as Wingate University scored once in the top of the first as the Bulldogs claimed a chilly 1-0 victory over Francis Marion University Tuesday evening (March 6) in non-conference baseball action (NCAA box score).

Francis Marion drops to 12-9 overall, while the visiting Bulldogs even their slate at 11-11 overall. Wingate avenges a 6-1 elimination loss to the Patriots in the 2011 NCAA Division II Southeast Regional tournament.
 
“This is a great team win for us,” Wingate head coach Jeff Gregory says. “Olen Little made the pitches when he needed to (make the pitches). Our defense was solid and we produced good at-bats…this was a 100 percent team effort.”
 
Tuesday’s meeting featured teams ranked first (FMU) and fifth (Wingate) nationally in total base hits, yet only a single run was recorded.  Senior Bulldog outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) doubled to deep right center field with two outs in the first frame.  Five pitches later, he came home to score on a single to right by redshirt junior first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.). Both McPherson and Yeung finished the night two-for-four.
 
Little allowed only three singles in seven frames, improving his 2012 slate to 3-0 overall.  He struck out seven and walked three, facing only one serious threat – in the sixth inning. In the sixth stanza, FMU junior right fielder Reggie Weatherford (Scranton, S.C.) and junior first baseman Stephen Tarkenton (Newnan, Ga.) both walked to place runners at first and second with only one out.  Little fell behind junior designated hitter Will Chandler (Aynor, S.C.) 3-0 before coming back to strike him out. Little got FMU senior center fielder Buddy Sosnoskie (Statesville, N.C.) to pop out to end the threat.
 
In addition to that scoring opportunity, FMU left one runner on base in six of the other eight innings. Wingate freshman right-hander Brett Morgan (Clemmons, N.C.) recorded two strikeouts in a scoreless eighth inning. Bulldog senior righty Josh Karr (Richmond, Va.) surrendered a two-out single in the bottom of the ninth, but enticed Patriot junior first baseman Rhodes Dickerson (Darlington, S.C.) to foul out to the game. 
 
In his first 2012 start, Little improves to 3-0 overall with a 2.42 ERA. The East Mecklenburg High School graduate has 24 strikeouts and only six walks in 22.2 innings this year. FMU senior southpaw Matt Broderick (Glendale, Ariz.) was saddled with the hard-luck loss.  He allowed only six hits and the one run in eight innings.  He struck out two and walked none.
 
Sophomore infielder Michael Wilson (Florence, S.C.), junior catcher Jacob Golliday (Kill Devil Hills, N.C.), junior first baseman Luke Tollison (Laurens, S.C.) and Chandler recorded the four FMU base hits (all singles). Francis Marion will return to Peach Belt Conference action this weekend with a single game at Augusta State University on Saturday at 2 p.m. and a doubleheader on Sunday at noon. The defending SAC tournament champion Wingate Bulldogs continue their PBC tour Wednesday, hosting UNC Pembroke. The first pitch at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field is slated for 6 p.m.
 
(Special thanks to Francis Marion Associate Athletic Director for Media Relations and Marketing Michael Hawkins for sharing this article.)