Box Score  

Wingate, N.C.----Every Wingate starter either scored a run or drove in a run Friday night as the Bulldogs opened up a three-game series against Lincoln Memorial University with a 15-8 victory in South Atlantic Conference baseball action at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Bulldogs scored a run in seven of their eight at-bats Friday night, as they moved to 28-14 overall and 20-7 in the SAC, remaining in a tie for first place in the conference standings with Catawba. LMU falls to 26-15-1 overall and 16-8 in the SAC.

Senior outfielder Eric Serra (Miami, Fla.) went three-for-six with a homer, four RBI and three runs scored to lead the Wingate attack. Senior outfielder Justin Somers (Wilmington, N.C.) was three-for-four with a double, triple, two RBI and four runs scored. Junior shortstop Michael Godinez (Cutler Bay, Fla.) added two hits including a double, driving in two and scoring a run, while junior first baseman Brad Cherry (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) was three-for-five with a double, two RBI and a run scored. Wingate piled up six doubles along with a triple and a homer Friday night.

Jonathan Lowe was three-for-six with a homer and three RBI to lead the LMU attack. Isaac Woody went three-for-four with a double, RBI and run scored, while Jean Rodriguez added an RBI and two runs scored.

Wingate got things started in the first, taking a 2-0 lead on a two-out, two-run double from Cherry. Junior catcher Tyler Simmons (Charlotte, N.C.) followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0. Somers ripped a two-out triple to center in the second, then scored on Serra's RBI single, while an LMU error put the 'Dogs on top by five.

The Railsplitters got on the board in the third on a sacrifice fly from Scott Miller. Wingate scored two more runs in the fourth, starting with an RBI double from Somers. He scored on an RBI single from junior outfielder Thomas Spitz (West Chester, Pa.) to make it 7-1.

Lincoln Memorial plated three runs in the fifth to cut the lead to three. Lowe started the scoring with a two-run single, while an RBI single from Josh Coker made it 7-4.

Somers pushed the lead back to four in the fifth on a sacrifice fly from Somers. Clark's sacrifice fly in the sixth made it 9-4. Lowe connected on a solo homer in the seventh to cut Wingate's lead back to four.

Junior infielder Blake Prince (Winter Park, Fla.) started the seventh with a double, then scored on an RBI single from Godinez. Freshman infielder Shane Billings (Kernersville, N.C.) followed with an RBI double to plate Prince, while Serra followed with the big blow of the inning, a three-run homer to right to make it 14-5. An RBI single from Godinez in the eighth gave the Bulldogs a 10-run lead.

LMU scored three runs in the top of the ninth to make the final margin 15-8.

Senior right-hander Olen Little (Charlotte, N.C.) got the win, moving to 9-1 on the year. The 2013 All-SAC and All-Region selection is now 15-2 in his last two seasons. He allowed four earned runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings, striking out two and walking three. Logan Sawyer took the loss, allowing seven runs on nine hits in three innings, falling to 6-4.

The two teams are slated to play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. to wrap up conference play. There is a chance the start time may be changed due to the threat of weather. Check wingatebulldogs.com for any schedule changes.