Wingate, N.C.----The top-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs outscored Mars Hill University 13-2 as part of their South Atlantic Conference doubleheader sweep at Ron Christopher Stadium Saturday afternoon. The team claimed their 40th and 41st wins of the season Saturday, improving to 41-6 overall and 21-2 in the SAC, while the Lions drop to 18-29 overall and 9-14 in league play.

GAME ONE | #1 Wingate 3, Mars Hill 1

KEY STATS

- Each team recorded five hits, one of which was a double
- Both squad stranded six runners on the bases
- Wingate and Mars Hill each committed an error
- The Bulldogs registered both stolen bases in the contest
- WU's pitching staff struck out 10 and walked two; MHU's dealers struck out seven and walked three

KEY BULLDOGS

- Austin Mitchell went seven strong innings, striking out five and improving to 10-0 on the year
- Seaver King notched a two-run double for Wingate's lone extra-base hit
- Gehrig Christopher knocked in the other run for the Bulldogs
- Michael Dansky, Grayson Chapman and Isaiah Williams-Rhem recorded hits
- Williams-Rhem and Andrew Motsinger each stole a base
- Mitch Farris struck out five in two shutout innings to earn the save

FIRST INNING

- Jed Bryant and Logan McNeely reached safely in the top of the first
- Christopher's RBI single to left scored Bryant give the 'Dogs the early lead
- King doubled to right field in what would be the last run production from the Wingate offense

FIFTH INNING

- Ruben Trillo doubled down the left field line to put MHU on the board

WRAPUP

- Mitchell got the win, finishing his regular season at a perfect 10-0
- He is the only pitcher in the conference to hit the 10-win mark this season
- Mitchell allowed one run on four hits and two walks, striking out five in seven innings
- Andrew Hazell got the lost for the Lions, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in four innings of work
- Farris earned his third save of the season, allowing just one hit and striking out five in two innings

GAME TWO | #1 Wingate 10, Mars Hill 1

KEY STATS

- Wingate out-hit Tusculum 8-4
- The Bulldogs had two doubles, while the Lions had the only homer of the day
- Each team stranded nine runners on the bases
- MHU committed the two errors in the field
- The 'Dogs recorded each of the four stolen bases in game two
- Wingate's pitchers struck out 11 and walked five; the Lions' staff struck out six and walked seven

KEY BULLDOGS

- King went one-for-two with a double and a walk, driving in three runs and scoring two more
- Dansky, and Justin Guy recorded a base hit and a run driven in
- Motsinger and Kell Smith each had an RBI
- Andrew McKay doubled in a pinch-hit appearance
- Josh Dotson improved to 6-0, allowing one run in four innings
- Seniors Chris Macca, Jordan Pendley, Riley Edwards and Mac Callari combined to strike out six and allow just one hit in three shutout innings on Senior Day

FIRST INNING

- The 'Dogs loaded the bases with one out to force the MHU starter out of the game
- King's hit-by-pitch drove in the 'Dogs' first run of the game
- Dansky scored on a throwing error from the Lions' first baseman
- Motsinger's RBI fielder's choice drove in Ricky Clark
- King and Motsinger scored on another error in the field

SECOND INNING

- Kyle Jenkins hit a solo homer to lead off the Mars Hill half of the second
- King drove in two more runs on his second-inning double, driving in Bryant and Clark to give Wingate a 7-1 lead

THIRD INNING
- Guy walked and stole second to lead off the third
- After advancing to third on a Bryant infield single, Guy scored on a Dansky sacrifice fly

FOURTH INNING

- King and Williams-Rhem each reached safely to start the fourth
- Guy's RBI ground out put Wingate up 9-1

SIXTH INNING

- McKay ripped a one-out double to left field, then advanced to third on a Guy single
- Smith reached on a fielder's choice to score the Bulldogs' 10th run

WRAPUP

- Like his fellow Saturday starter, Dotson improved to a perfect 6-0 with the win
- He allowed one run on three hits and two walks in four innings, striking out five
- Barrett Williams took the loss for the Lions, allowing two earned runs in 0.1 innings
- Macca, Pendley, Edwards and Callari shut out Mars Hill's bats in relief, striking out six in the final three innings

UP NEXT

- The Bulldogs travel to Mount Olive on Tuesday in their regular season finale before gearing up for the SAC Tournament starting Thursday, April 28
- Wingate is the number one seed in the SAC Tourney, wrapping up the regular season title Friday
- The 'Dogs won the SAC Tournament championship last season