Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs split Saturday's doubleheader with the Mars Hill Lions in South Atlantic Conference baseball action at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Bulldogs move to 21-5 overall and 12-3 in league play, while the Lions move to 9-15-1 and 6-8-1 in the SAC. Wingate is back in action at home this Tuesday, hosting Francis Marion in non-conference play.
 
Game One | Wingate 7, Mars Hill 5
 
Key Stats

- Both teams recorded nine hits
- The Bulldogs had both extra-base hits in the contest
- Wingate had two of the three errors
- The 'Dogs left nine on base; the Lions stranded seven
- Wingate pitching struck out nine, walking seven
- Each team stole two bases
 
Key Bulldogs

- Jalen Evans went two-for-four, with a double, two RBI, and a run scored
- Bowen Powell was two-for-four with two RBI and a run scored
- Bradley Hart had a double, RBI and scored a run
- Reed Benamati collected a hit, RBI and run scored
- Braxton Walker faced four batters in the top of the ninth, striking out two
- JD Little went seven innings, allowing four runs on six hits

Third Inning

- Powell got the scoring started with a single down the left field line, allowing Gavin Gropusso to score from third

Fourth Inning

- A Starkey single to right allowed Miller to score from third, advancing Bumgarner to second, tying it up at one apiece
- An Ashe sacrifice bunt scored Bumgardner, giving the Lions a 2-1 lead
 
Fifth Inning

- A Rubiera sacrifice bunt scored Aguilar, extending the Lions lead to 3-1
 
Seventh Inning

- A Potts RBI single to left center brought Pastrana home, giving MHU the 4-1 lead
 
Eighth Inning

- Matson scored from second on interference called on McCammon, extending the lead to 5-1
- Hart's RBI double down the right field line advanced Courville to second, scoring Tanner McCammon, cutting the Lion lead to 5-2
- A Benamati RBI infield single scored Courville, advancing Hart to second.
- Evans followed with a two-run double to left center, plating Benamati and Hart to tie it at five
- Powell followed with a two-run single, driving in Evans and Will Farrell home to give the 'Dogs a 7-5 lead
 
Wrapup

- Carson Starnes gets the win, moving to 1-0 on the year
- Stephens takes the loss, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk in ⅓ of an inning of work
- Walker notched his second save of the year

GAME TWO | MARS HILL 7 WINGATE 3

KEY STATS

- Mars Hill out-hit Wingate 8-6
- The Lions had two of the three extra-base hits; the 'Dogs had the lone homer
- Wingate left 10 on base; Mars Hill stranded seven
- MHU had both stolen bases
- Each team committed an error
- WU pitching struck out eight and walked three; MHU had six strikeouts and four walks

KEY BULLDOGS

- McCammon was two-for-three with a homer and two RBI
- Groppuso added a hit and scored a run
- Nick Papciak and Jett Thomas each tossed a scoreless inning in relief

THIRD INNING

- Matson's sacrifice fly gave Mars Hill a 1-0 lead
- Bumgarner followed with an RBI single to stretch the lead to two

FOURTH INNING

- Rubiera's RBI single highlighted a four-run inning to give the Lions a 6-0 lead

FIFTH INNING

- An RBI groundout from Aguilar pushed the lead to seven
- Two hit batters started the bottom of the frame
- A McCammon sacrifice fly got Wingate on the board
- A balk allowed Evans to score, making it 7-2

SEVENTH INNING

- McCammon led off the frame with a solo shot to make it 7-3

WRAPUP

- Jacob Davis got the win, allowing two runs on five hits in six innings
- Connor Longley took the loss, allowing five runs on six hits in three innings