PEMBROKE – The 11^th-ranked UNC Pembroke baseball team allowed just two hits, while Joey Rezek provided the big blast in the sixth inning with a 2-run bomb to right center, as the Braves grinded past Wingate 5-1 in baseball action Tuesday night at Sammy Cox Field.

Will Harris kept the Wingate bats at bay through four innings, allowing just one run, before HL Smith, Luke Barrow, Spencer Ledford, and Jake Smith combined to go the final five innings, allowing just one hit to go along with eight strikeouts.

The Braves (18-5) improved to 52-36 all-time against the Bulldogs (14-8), and have now won 15 of the last 20 matchups in the series. 
 
The Black & Gold will be back in action Friday as they open a Conference Carolinas series against 2^nd-ranked North Greenville. First pitch Friday is set for 6 p.m., with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday to conclude the series.
 

GAME SUMMARY
FINAL SCORE	UNC Pembroke 5, Wingate 1
PITCHERS	WP: HL Smith (1-0) LP: Chad Harvey (1-2) Save: None
RECORDS	UNC Pembroke 18-5, 5-4 CC; Wingate 14-8, 7-2 SAC

KEY INNINGS
BOT 1	Blake Hinson got aboard on a 1-out single, stole second, and would score the game's first run on Kody O'Connor's RBI single.
TOP 2	Brett Adams walked and moved to third on Breon Ishmael's single, and would come around to score on a wild pitch to make it 1-1.
BOT 6	Spencer Faulkner worked a leadoff walk, and would trot home on a pinch-hit 2-run home run from Joey Rezek. After Andrew Jenner walked and stole second, Will Hood would single Jenner home to stretch the lead to 5-1.

UNCP LEADERS	WU LEADERS
Joey Rezek 1-1, HR, BB, 2 RBI Blake Hinson 2-5, SB, R Kody O'Connor 2-5, RBI HL Smith W, 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K	Cam Harris 1-3 Breon Ishmael 1-3, SB

 

UP NEXT

The Black & Gold will be back in action Friday as they open a Conference Carolinas series against 2nd-ranked North Greenville. First pitch Friday is set for 6 p.m., with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday to conclude the series.

 

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BACK THE BRAVES

Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Baseball program by joining the Braves Club, or by making a gift directly to the program. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu. To make a monetary gift, visit UNCPBraves.com/Give and indicate "baseball team" in notes section.