Wingate, N.C.----The 22nd-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs were down to their final out in both games in Saturday's South Atlantic Conference doubleheader, but a Tanner Forry (York, Pa.) two-run homer in the first game and Tyler Schneider (Richland, Ind.) two-run single in game two led the Bulldogs to a sweep at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. Wingate won the opener 6-5, while taking game two 5-4 to improve to 18-5 overall and 7-2 in the SAC. Mars Hill falls to 5-15-1 overall and 2-7 in league play.

Game One: Wingate 6, Mars Hill 5

Sophomore infielder McCann Mellett (Charlotte, N.C.) was four-for-five with a homer, two doubles, three RBI and three runs scored to lead the Wingate offense in game one. Forry was two-for-five with a double, homer and three RBI, while senior infielder Brett Branton (Athens, Ga.) added two hits and a run scored.

Shomarii Thomas had a homer, two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Mars Hill attack, while Daniel Vitello added two hits and two RBI for the Lions. Christian Stampler had two hits and an RBI in game one.

Thomas got Mars Hill on the board with a solo homer in the top of the third, but Wingate had the answer in the bottom of the frame, with Mellett tucking a solo shot inside the foul pole down the right field line, his second of the year to make it 1-1.

The Lions scored twice in the seventh to take the lead. After back-to-back singles started the frame, Vitello's two-run double to right made it a two-run game. A Stampler RBI single and Wingate error in the eighth put two more runs on the board for the Lions, making it 5-1.

Wingate cut into the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Mellett started the inning with a double, then moved to third on Schneider's single. Forry's RBI groundout plated Mellett to make it 5-2 heading to the ninth.

Branton led off the ninth with a double, while a walk put two on for Mellett. The sophomore's fourth hit of the day was a two-run double down the right field line, making it 5-4. After a flyout, Forry came to the plate with the tying run on second and two out. The junior connected on an 0-2 pitch, sending it over the fence in dead center to give Wingate the 6-5 victory.

Sophomore right-hander Alex Rodriguez (Kannapolis, N.C.) got the win, moving to 4-0. He tossed two shutout innings in relief, striking out three and allowing just one hit. Senior right-hander Hunter Hamilton (Troy, N.C.) allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings of work. Fausto Turro took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Alec Bivens went eight innings for the Lions, allowing four runs on nine hits while striking out eight.

Game Two: Wingate 4, Mars Hill 3

Forry and Bradley Brown (Rockingham, N.C.) each homered to lead the Wingate offense, with Schneider adding the game-winning two-run single. Branton added two more hits and a run scored for the Bulldogs.

Cody Cline was one-for-two with two RBI to lead the MHU attack in game two, while Vitello also drove in a run for the Lions.

Mars Hill jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, with Cline's two-run single getting the Lions on the board.

Wingate answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning to tie it. Forry started it by connecting on his second homer of the day, third of the series and 10th of the season, a solo shot to left to cut the lead in half. Brown followed with a towering solo shot to right, his ninth of the season to make it 2-2.

Mars Hill retook the lead in the fourth when Vitello drew a bases-loaded walk, making it 3-2.

The Bulldogs had the answer in the final inning, with junior infielder Zach Little (Troutman, N.C.) starting the bottom of the seventh by drawing a walk. Branton followed with a bunt single down the first base line, while a sacrifice from Justin Guy (Greensboro, N.C.) put runners on second and third with one out. A popout got the second out of the inning, while Mellett was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs for Schneider. The junior lined a 1-0 pitch to left field, just dropping in front of the MHU left fielder, allowing Little and Branton to score and give the 'Dogs the 4-3 victory.

Sophomore right-hander Josh Karklin (Waxhaw, N.C.) got the win, moving to 2-0. He worked a shutout inning in relief without allowing a hit. Freshman left-hander Riley Edwards (Hickory, N.C.) tossed 2 1/3 shutout innings in relief, striking out one without allowing a hit for the Bulldogs. Mike Ramunno took the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in 1 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out two to fall to 0-1 on the season.

Wingate is back in action Tuesday, traveling to UNC Pembroke for a 6 p.m. start.