Forest City, N.C.----The fifth-seeded Wingate University Bulldogs won their fifth SAC Tournament game Monday afternoon, scoring eight unanswered runs to knock off top-seeded and 11th-ranked Catawba College 8-2. The victory sets up one final game in the SAC Tournament between Wingate and Catawba, with the winner claiming the SAC title. The Bulldogs move to 31-21 overall, staving off elimination for the fifth time in the tournament. Catawba falls to 38-11, suffering its first loss of the tournament.

First team All-SAC outfielder Thomas Spitz (West Chester, Pa.) went three-for-five with two homers and three RBI to lead the Wingate attack. Senior Michael Godinez (Cutler Bay, Fla.) added a double and three RBI, while sophomore Colby Barnette (Monroe, N.C.) contributed a homer and two RBI.

Catawba jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second on a Luke Setzer two-run single.

Wingate answered in the top of the fourth when Spitz led off the frame with his 15th homer of the year, a solo shot to left to make it 2-1. Three batters later, Barnette blasted his 13th long ball of the year, a two-run shot to left center to put Wingate on top.

The Bulldogs added to their lead in the seventh. Two walks and a single loaded the bases for Godinez. The senior cleared the bases with a three-run double to left center to extend the lead to four. Spitz followed with an RBI single to make it 7-2.

Catawba threatened in the eighth, loading the bases with two outs, but a lineout ended the threat. Spitz led off the top of the ninth with his third homer of the tournament, a solo shot to center to make the final margin 8-2.

Senior right-hander Brett Morgan (Clemmons, N.C.) picked up his second win of the tournament, improving to 7-3 on the year. He allowed two runs on just two hits in 7 1/3 innings of work, throwing 120 pitches after tossing 98 pitches in Thursday's win against Carson-Newman. Sophomore right-hander Brandon Donahue (Charlotte, N.C.) added 1 2/3 shutout innings, striking out one. Russ Weiker took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits in six innings, falling to 3-2.

The Bulldogs and Indians will meet for the SAC title at 4:15 p.m. Monday. Wingate defeated Catawba to win the 2011 SAC Tournament title. Catawba defeated Wingate to win the 2014 championship.