Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University redshirt senior
Tyler Simmons (Charlotte, N.C.) had two homers and six RBI Tuesday afternoon, leading the Bulldogs to a 12-7 victory over visiting Francis Marion University in NCAA Division II baseball action at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. Wingate improves to 16-9 overall, while the Patriots fall to 15-9 on the season.
Simmons had three hits on the day, adding a double to lead Wingate. Freshman
Austin Turgeon (Athens, Ga.) also homered, while junior All-American
Shane Billings (Kernersville, N.C.) had three hits, an RBI and a run scored. Freshman infielder
Zach Little (Troutman, N.C.) had three hits and three runs scored, while senior outfielder
Bill Krebs (West Chester, Pa.) and sophomore
Bradley Brown (Rockingham, N.C.) each added an RBI and a run scored for the Bulldogs.
Brooks Kennedy had a homer, two RBI and three runs scored to lead the FMU attack.
Cole Hinnant added two RBI, while
Antonio Pino,
JD Crowe and
Chase Haas each added an RBI and a run scored for the Patriots.
Francis Marion took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Kennedy led off the game with a solo shot to right. Pino's RBI single in the third made it 2-0.
The Bulldogs got on the board in the fourth, scoring three times to take the lead. After a one-out single from Little, Simmons connected on a two-run shot to right, his first of the year to make it 2-2. A Francis Marion error put a runner on second for Billings, who put the 'Dogs on top with an RBI single.
Wingate added two more runs in the fifth. Junior infielder
Colby Barnette (Monroe, N.C.) started the frame with a double. Little added a single, while a two-run double to center from Simmons gave the 'Dogs a 5-2 lead.
Francis Marion scored five times in the seventh to regain the lead. Haas got things started with an RBI double, while Kennedy's RBI single got the Patriots within a run. An error allowed the tying run to score, while Hinnant's two-run double made it 7-5.
Wingate stormed back with seven runs in the eighth. With two outs and nobody on, Billings reached on an infield single, then scored on a Krebs RBI double. A Francis Marion error allowed Krebs to score, making it 7-7. Brown followed with an RBI double to put the 'Dogs on top, then scored on a wild pitch. Simmons followed with a towering two-run homer to center, making it 11-7. Turgeon followed with a solo shot to left, his third of the year to put Wingate on top by five.
Senior right-hander
Tyler Brown (Suffolk, Va.) got the win, moving to 3-0. He did not allow an earned run in 2 2/3 innings, striking out four. Sophomore
Hunter Morgan (Summerfield, N.C.) allowed three earned runs in 6 1/3 innings, striking out six.
Zach Callahan took the loss, falling to 0-2. He allowed three runs on five hits in three innings of work. He was one of nine FMU pitchers on the day.
Wingate is back in action Friday, opening a three-game SAC series at 6 p.m. The two teams meet for a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.
