Florence, S.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs dropped the 2017 season opener Friday night, falling in a tight 2-1 contest against North Greenville University at Francis Marion in Florence, S.C. The Crusaders begin their season 1-0, while Wingate is 0-1 on the year.
Andrew Frazier was one-for-four with an RBI to lead the NGU attack, while
Connor Grant also drove in a run for the Crusaders.
Clark Scolamiero added a hit and a run scored for North Greenville.
Sophomore catcher
Micah Goodwin (Rougemont, N.C.) went two-for-four with a double to lead the Wingate offense. Sophomore shortstop
Reece Daniel (Asheboro, N.C.) added a hit and a run scored, while senior infielder
Colby Barnette (Monroe, N.C.) drove in a run for the Bulldogs.
North Greenville scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning. A Single and error put runners on the corners for the Crusaders, while an RBI groundout from Grant made it 1-0. The Bulldogs put two on in the bottom of the frame, but were unable to plate a run.
The Crusaders added to their lead in the sixth inning.
Taylor McCuen started the rally with a two-out double, then scored on Frazier's RBI double to make it 2-0.
Singles from Daniel,
Zach Little (Troutman, N.C.) and
Ty Andrus (Winston-Salem, N.C.) loaded the bases for Wingate in the eighth. After a foulout, Barnette plated Daniel on a sacrifice fly to make it 2-1. A strikeout ended the frame. North Greenville's
Blake Hamilton retired Wingate in order in the ninth to end the game.
Tucker Burgess got the win for the Crusaders, moving to 1-0 on the year. He tossed six shutout innings, allowing three hits while striking out seven. Senior right-hander
Brandon Donahue (Charlotte, N.C.) took the loss for Wingate. He allowed one earned run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out five. Junior left-hander
Kory Behenna (Bahama, N.C.) and senior right-hander
Cameron Price (Indian Trail, N.C.) combined for 3 1/3 shutout innings in relief, striking out six while allowing just two hits.
The Bulldogs are back in action Saturday, facing Claflin at 5 p.m. in Florence, S.C.