Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs pushed their winning streak to eight on Saturday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader against Tusculum University in South Atlantic Conference baseball action at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. Wingate won the opener 9-6, while prevailing 11-0 in the second game to improve to 14-4 overall and 6-2 in the SAC. The Pioneers fall to 5-12 overall and 1-8 in league play.
GAME ONE | WINGATE 9 TUSCULUM 6
KEY STATS
- Tusculum out-hit Wingate 14-12
- The Bulldogs had all five extra-base hits
- The Pioneers left 19 on base; the 'Dogs stranded 11
- Wingate had three of the five stolen bases
- The Bulldogs committed all four errors in the contest
- WU pitching struck out seven and walked seven
- TU struck out six and walked seven
KEY BULLDOGS
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Jalen Evans was two-for-three with a double, three RBI and a run scored
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Ben Karpowicz went three-for-five with a homer and two runs scored
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Gavin Groppuso also homered, while stealing three bases
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Jake Courville was three-for-four with two RBI and two runs scored
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Reed Benamati contributed a hit and a pair of RBI
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Bowen Powell and
Tanner McCammon each added a hit and scored a run
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Jett Thomas struck out three in two innings of work to earn the win
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Parker Jensen went the final three frames to earn the save
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JD Little allowed two earned runs in 3 2/3 innings, striking out three
SECOND INNING
- A Nathan Haywood RBI single gave Tusculum an early 1-0 lead
- Karpowicz led off the bottom of the frame with a solo shot to tie it
- Courville and Evans followed with singles
- Courville scored on a Benamati RBI groundout to give Wingate a 2-1 lead
THIRD INNING
- Jake Smith drew a bases-loaded walk to tie it at two
- A hit batter and Karpowicz single put two on for the 'Dogs in the bottom of the frame
- Courville's two-run double gave the Bulldogs a 4-2 lead
FOURTH INNING
- A Kolby Watson RBI single pulled the Pioneers back within a run
FIFTH INNING
- Watson drew another bases-loaded walk to tie it at four
- Wingate answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame
- Singles from McCammon and Courville started the inning
- An Evans two-run double gave the Bulldogs a 6-4 lead
- Benamati followed with an RBI single to give the 'Dogs a three-run cushion
SIXTH INNING
- Three walks loaded the bases for Wingate
- Evans drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 8-4
SEVENTH INNING
- Groppuso's solo homer extended the lead to five
NINTH INNING
- RBI single from Watson and Caden Rector made the final margin 9-6
WRAPUP
- Thomas got the win, moving to 1-0 on the year
- He allowed a run on three hits in two innings, striking out three
- Jensen went three innings without allowing an earned run, striking out one
- Walker Pedante took the loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings
GAME TWO | WINGATE 11 TUSCULUM 0
KEY STATS
- Wingate out-hit Tusculum 9-4
- The Bulldogs had two of the three extra-base hits
- The 'Dogs left six on base; the Pioneers stranded five
- Tusculum committed both errors in the contest
- WU pitching struck out five without a walk; TU struck out five and walked five
KEY BULLDOGS
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Connor Longley went the distance, striking out five in seven shutout frames
- Courville was three-for-four with a double, three RBI and a run scored
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Bradley Hart went two-for-two with two doubles and a run scored
- Evans added two more hits including a double, driving in two runs and scoring a run
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Sean Sullivan added a hit, RBI and run scored
- Benamati and
Justin Barham each added an RBI
- Powell collected a hit and scored a run
- Karpowicz scored three times
FIRST INNING
- A walk and Powell single put Bulldogs on the corners
- Sullivan's RBI groundout started the scoring
- Courville added an RBI single to make it 2-0
- Hart followed with an RBI single
- An Evans RBI single gave the 'Dogs a four-run lead
THIRD INNING
- A Hart single and Evans double put runners on second and third for Wingate
- A Benamati sacrifice fly plated Hart
- Evans scored on a passed ball to make it 6-0
FIFTH INNING
- A walk and Courville single put two on to start the WU fifth
- An Evans sacrifice fly extended the lead to seven
SIXTH INNING
- An error and walk started the Wingate sixth
- Barham's sacrifice fly gave the 'Dogs an 8-0 lead
- Courville's two-run double put the Bulldogs in double figures
- Hart's sacrifice fly made the final margin 11-0
WRAPUP
- Longley got the win, moving to 3-1 on the year
- He allowed four hits in seven shutout frames, striking out five
- Brice Anders took the loss, allowing six runs on seven hits in 2 1/3 innings
UP NEXT
- Wingate is back in action Tuesday, traveling to Lander for a 3 p.m. start
