Box Score  

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University sophomore catcher Josh Clark (Clemmons, N.C.) connected on a grand slam in the fifth inning Saturday night, leading the Bulldogs past the visiting Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne University 6-3 in South Atlantic Conference baseball action at Ron Christophe Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. Wingate improves to 7-7 overall and 2-2 in the SAC, while LRU falls to 5-10 overall and 1-3 in the conference. 

Clark went two-for-four on the night, scoring a pair of runs. Sophomore outfielder Thomas Spitz (West Chester, Pa.) went three-for-four with a run scored, while sophomore infielder Blake Prince (Winter Park, Fla.) was two-for-four with a double. 

Colton Hansley went two-for-four with a homer to lead the Lenoir-Rhyne attack. Mike Gasque went one-for-four with an RBI, while Landon Elks and Nate Martin each went one-for-three with a run scored for the Bears. 

Wingate took an early lead, plating two runs in the second. Clark led off the inning with a single, then went to third on a double from senior designated hitter Grant McCoury (Canton, Ohio). Clark would then score on a passed ball, while an RBI groundout from sophomore first baseman Brad Cherry (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) made it 2-0.

Freshman outfielder Bill Krebs (West Chester, Pa.) led off the fifth with a single, while Spitz followed with another single. A third consecutive single from redshirt senior infielder Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.) loaded the bases for the Bulldogs. Clark lined an 0-1 pitch over the fence in left to clear the bases, connecting on his second homer of the year to give the ‘Dogs a six-run lead. 

The Bears answered with two runs in the sixth. Elks started the frame with a single, then went to third on a double from Martin. Gasque drove home the first run with an RBI single, while a sacrifice fly from David Martin made the score 6-2. Lenoir-Rhyne got to within three in the seventh when Hansley connected on his first homer of the year, a solo shot to right to make the final 6-3. 

Junior right-hander Ben Currie (Clemmons, N.C.) got the win, improving to 1-1 on the year. He allowed three runs on six hits in seven innings of work, striking out five without walking a batter. Currie retired 13 consecutive hitters at one point Saturday. Sophomore right-hander Brett Morgan (Clemmons, N.C.) shut down the Bears in the final two innings, striking out three to notch his first save of the year. Eric Ryan took the loss, falling to 0-2. He allowed six runs on nine hits in five innings, striking out two while walking one. 

The Bulldogs and Bears meet for a doubleheader Sunday, with game one slated to start at 1 p.m.