Box Score 1 | Box Score 2  

Newberry, S.C.----Wingate University senior right-handers Stephen Vaughan (Wilmington, N.C.) and Ben Currie (Clemmons, N.C.) combined for 15 1/3 innings of work Saturday afternoon, allowing only one earned run while striking out 18 as the Bulldogs shut down the leauge's most potent offense en route to a doubleheader sweep at Newberry College in South Atlantic Conference baseball action. Wingate won the first game 5-2 in 10 innings, while finishing the weekend sweep with a 4-0 win in game two to improve to 21-7 overall and 15-5 in the SAC. Newberry falls to 16-15 overall and 8-10 in the conference.

Game One: Wingate 5, Newberry 2 (10 innings)

Junior first baseman Brad Cherry (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) was three-for-four with an RBI and a run scored to lead the Wingate offense. Senior designated hitter Justin Somers (Wilmington, N.C.) added a pair of RBI and a run scored, while junior outfielder Thomas Spitz (West Chester, Pa.) went three-for-five with a run scored. Junior shortstop Michael Godinez (Cutler Bay, Fla.) had two hits and an RBI, while senior outfielder Eric Serra (Miami, Fla.) added a double and an RBI for the Bulldogs.

Ryan Cranmer was one-for-five with an RBI for the Wolves, while Eric Barbieri went three-for-four with a run scored.

Wingate got on the board in the second when junior infielder Blake Prince (Winter Park, Fla.) led off the inning with a double, then scored on an RBI single from Somers.

Newberry answered with two runs in the fourth to take the lead. The Wolves got two on to start the frame with a single and a walk. Cranmer followed with an RBI single, while a Wingate error on the play allowed the second run to score, making it 2-1.

Wingate tied the game with a run in the seventh. Somers started the inning by reaching on an error, then went to second on a sacrifice from Godinez. He scored on a two-out RBI double from Serra to make it 2-2.

Both teams had chances to add runs late. The Bulldogs had runners on first and third with one out in the eighth, but a double play ended the threat. Newberry loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but sophomore right-hander Tyler Brown (Suffolk, Va.) induced an inning-ending double play to send the game to extra innings.

Spitz led off the 10th with a single, then stole second and went to third on a wild pitch. He scored the go-ahead run on a squeeze bunt from Cherry. Somers followed with a sacrifice fly, while an RBI single from Godinez gave the 'Dogs a 5-2 lead.

Brown got the win, moving to 2-1 on the year. He tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits. Vaughan went 8 1/3 innings, allowing just one earned run on eight hits, striking out nine while throwing 122 pitches. Daniel Nations took the loss, falling to 2-2. He allowed four runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings, striking out five.

Game Two: Wingate 4, Newberry 0

Currie registered his second straight complete game shutout in a game that was scoreless heading to the final inning. Prince went three-for-three with a run scored to lead the offense, while Serra added a double and an RBI.

Newberry was limited to three hits, all of which were singles.

Both teams went in order in the first inning, but the Bulldogs used two singles and a walk to load the bases with no outs in the second. Newberry starter Jake Nidiffer got out of the jam, inducing in infield popout and two foul outs to keep the game scoreless.

The Wolves got their first base runner in the third, a two-out single from Nolan Schrenker, who was stranded after an inning-ending popout. Newberry got a leadoff single from Robert Kosch in the sixth, who then went to second on a sacrifice and third on a wild pitch. Currie got out of the jam with back-to-back strikeouts, sending the game to the seventh inning scoreless.

Prince singled to start the inning, then went to second on a sacrifice. A walk and hit batsman loaded the bases with one out for Godinez. He grounded one to the pitcher, who attempted to throw the runner out at home, but a throwing error allowed two runs to score. Serra added an RBI double, while a wild pitch allowed a fourth run to score.

That would be plenty for Currie, who set the Wolves down in order in the seventh to notch his second straight complete game shutout. He has a team-best three complete games this year. The preseason All-SAC selection moved to 5-1 on the season, allowing three singles in seven innings of work, striking out nine without walking a batter, needing just 89 pitches. Nidiffer took the loss, falling to 2-1. He allowed four runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out one and walking two.

The Wingate pitching staff was dominant all weekend in leading the Bulldogs to the sweep. Facing a Newberry offense that entered the week leading the league and ranking seventh nationally in hits, four Wingate pitchers combined to allow just one earned run in 26 innings of work, piling up 21 strikeouts. Senior right-hander Olen Little (Charlotte, N.C.) got it started Friday night, taking a no-hitter into the eighth inning while finishing with a complete game one-hit shutout.

The Bulldogs are back in action Wednesday, traveling to Winston-Salem State for a 6 p.m. start.