Dusty White enters his seventh season as the assistant baseball coach at Wingate University in 2022. He was named the assistant coach in August of 2015. White serves as the pitching coach for the Bulldogs.
The 2021 season saw the Bulldogs capture the first NCAA national title in the history of Wingate baseball or SAC baseball. The magical season included the program's seventh SAC Tournament title and first-ever regional championship. The team's first-ever trip to the D2 World Series started with a loss, but the 'Dogs bounced back with five straight wins over top-20 teams to capture the title, becoming the first team since 2005 to win the championship after an opening-round loss.
The pitching staff was huge down the stretch for the Bulldogs in 2021, starting in the SAC Tournament with Hunter Dula going seven strong innings in the 10-2 victory over Newberry in the opener. Austin Mitchell came up huge in the first game of championship Monday, tossing a nine-inning complete game in the 8-2 win to send the 'Dogs to the championship game. Freshman Sam Broderson worked 3 1/3 strong innings to earn the win as WU rolled to a 13-4 victory and earned the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Wingate faced a top-five offense in the nation in North Greenville in the opener, with Dula and Mac Callari holding the Crusaders to just four runs on five hits in the 6-4 victory. David Nash went 7 2/3 innings against Mount Olive in the third game, striking out a career-high 10 in the 11-5 victory over the 11th-ranked Trojans. Mitchell was huge again in the region title game, going seven strong against the potent Columbus State offense, allowing just two runs on five hits. Brody McCullough worked the final two frames without allowing a hit to send the 'Dogs to the World Series.
After the opening-round loss, Wingate's next three starters were unlike any others at the D2 World Series in 2021. Only three pitchers throughout the week went at least seven innings, all three were Bulldogs. The All-American McCullough got it started by tossing eight innings against #14 Southern New Hampshire, striking out nine and allowing just one run in the 3-2 win. Nash was even better the next day, tossing a nine-inning complete game against #4 Seton Hill, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out seven. Mitchell kept it going the next day, going 7 1/3 against #9 Angelo State, allowing three runs while striking out seven. The championship game saw Wingate trailing 3-2 against Central Missouri in the top of the fifth. The freshman Broderson entered the game and shut down the Mules the rest of the day, not allowing a hit in five shutout innings of work, walking just one, which came with two outs in the ninth. He followed by striking out the next batter in three pitches to claim the title.
McCullough earned ABCA All-American honors, while Dula was an All-SAC and All-Region honoree. Dula was drafted in the 18th round by the San Francisco Giants. Tommy McCollum, who got the win by retiring all four he faced in the national semifinal game against Angelo State, signed a free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The abbreviated 2020 season saw the WU pitching staff have an incredible start. Through 22 games, Wingate had a 3.08 team ERA, striking out 199 in 190 innings of work, holding opponents to a .228 average. Nash was 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA through three starts, Mac Callari was 3-2 with a 1.91 ERA, Dula was 2-1 with a 2.41 ERA and McCullough had two wins and a 3.64 ERA. McCollum had a 0.79 ERA in 11 innings out of the bullpen, striking out 17, while Alex Rodriguez had a 0.00 ERA in nine innings of work, with nine strikeouts while allowing just one hit. Austin Johnson posted a 0.96 ERA in 9 1/3 innings. The 'Dogs led the SAC and ranked 16th in the nation in ERA in 2020.
The 2019 season saw two Bulldogs rank in the top five in the SAC in ERA, with Adam Tulloch going 6-2 with a 2.48 ERA, striking out 74 in 54 innings to rank fourth in ERA, while Austin Turgeon was 6-2 with a 2.55 ERA in 67 innings of work. Dula posted a 2.66 ERA in 21 outings out of the pen, notching two wins and six saves. Wingate finished the season ranked second in the SAC with a 4.30 ERA.
The 2018 pitching staff was anchored by Turgeon, who picked up fives wins in eight starts, posting a 3.38 ERA and two complete games. Riley Edwards compiled a 0.82 ERA in 11 innings of work, while Alex Rodriguez was 6-1 out of the bullpen with a 2.43 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings. The Bulldogs led the SAC with a 4.59 team ERA in 2018.
Hunter Morgan posted a 6-4 record in 12 starts in the 2017 season, with Brandon Donahue adding six victories. Josh Karklin posted a 2.84 ERA out of the bullpen, while Kory Behenna notched four saves with a 3.92 ERA in 21 innings of work, striking out 31. Behenna was drafted in teh 25th round of the 2017 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox.
In 2016, the Bulldogs finished fifth in the SAC in ERA, led by honorable mention All-SAC junior right-hander Brandon Donahue, who went 6-4 with a 3.67 ERA. Senior Tyler Brown picked up five wins and seven saves out of the Wingate bullpen in 2016.
White began his collegiate playing career at UNC Charlotte in 2005. He would then transfer to Wingate, where he earned a degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations in May of 2010. White had a 3-2 record on Wingate's 2010 regular season SAC championship team.
After graduating, White began working at On Deck Baseball Academy, where he served as a pitching instructor while also coaching a showcase team and acting as the Directory of Tournaments and Events. He provided individual lessons, while also assisting the staff with the recruitment and college placement of players.
While working at On Deck Baseball Academy, White served as the assistant coach at Charlotte Latin High School in 2011. In addition to serving as the pitching coach at Charlotte Latin, White assisted with the day-to-day practice plans of the team while also assisting with daily field maintenance.
In 2012, White was named the assistant coach at South Mecklenburg High School. In addition to his in-season duties, White helped create throwing programs, arm-care plans and daily routines for pitchers throughout the year. He also assisted the baseball program in creating offseason weight training and speed and agility programs.
