HIGHLIGHT: Brad Cherry walk-off RBI single

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs swept a doubleheader against visiting Brevard College Saturday afternoon, finishing off a three-game sweep in South Atlantic Conference baseball action at Ron Christophe Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. Wingate won the first game 10-2, while rallying for a 6-5 nine-inning win in game two to improve to 12-3 overall and 9-3 in the SAC. Brevard falls to 7-9 overall and 3-8 in the conference.

Game One: Wingate 10, Brevard 2

Redshirt senior first baseman Brad Cherry (Mt. Pleasant, N.C.) was two-for-three with a double and three RBI to lead the Wingate offense. Freshman designated hitter Bradley Brown (Rockingham, N.C.) went three-for-four with a double, two RBI and two runs scored, while senior catcher Josh Clark (Clemmons, N.C.) was two-for-three with two RBI and two runs scored, while sophomore infielder Shane Billings (Kernersville, N.C.) went two-for-five with a double and two runs scored.

Brevard took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first, getting a two-run single from John Slade. Wingate had the answer, scoring twice in the bottom of the frame to tie it. Billings doubled to start the inning, then scored on an RBI from Spitz. Clark followed with an RBI single to make it 2-2.

That was all of the scoring until the bottom of the sixth. Spit singled to start the frame, then stole second and scored on Clark's RBI single. Brown followed with a double, while Cherry's sacrifice fly made it 4-2. A sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Bill Krebs (West Chester, Pa.) put the 'Dogs on top by three.

Wingate plated five more runs in the seventh inning. An error and two singles loaded the bases, while a wild pitch plated the first run. Brown followed with a two-run single, while Cherry's two-run double made it 10-2.

Senior right-hander Brett Morgan (Clemmons, N.C.) got the win, moving to 4-0 on the year, leading the Sac in wins. He allowed two runs on five hits in six innings, striking out two and walking five. Freshman right-hander Hunter Hamilton (Troy, N.C.), sophomore right-hander Cameron Price (Indian Trail, N.C.) and junior right-hander Thomas Young (Cary, N.C.) each added a scoreless inning of relief, striking out four. J.D. Chaplain took the loss, allowing five runs on seven hits in six innings of work.

Game Two: Wingate 6, Brevard 5

Spitz and Billings had two RBI apiece, while Cherry was two-for-five with an RBI. Junior outfielder Nick Triplett (Shelby, N.C.) and senior infielder Michael Godinez (Cutler Bay, Fla.) scored two runs apiece for the Bulldogs.

Brevard scored five times in the third inning. The first four runs scored on an RBI groundout, RBI single and an error, while a passed ball gave the Tornados a 5-0 lead.

Wingate cut into the lead in the fourth, when Billings connected on a two-out, two-run single to right field, making it 5-2.

The Bulldogs scored three times in the sixth to tie it. A walk, error and single loaded the bases, while a wild pitch plated the first run. Spitz would then deliver with a two-out, two-run single to tie the game at five.

Neither team would score in the seventh, forcing extra innings. Wingate would score the game-winner in the ninth. Clark drew a one-out walk, then moved to second on a passed ball. He scored on Cherry's two-out RBI single to right, giving the Bulldogs the weekend sweep.

Junior right-hander Tyler Brown (Suffolk, Va.) got the win, moving to 3-1 on the year. He tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings, striking out five and walking five, allowing just three hits (all singles). Tyler Konzen took the loss, falling to 0-1. He allowed two runs on three hits in 3 2/3 innings, striking out eight and walking one.

Wingate is back in action Tuesday, hosting Belmont Abbey at 6 p.m.