WINGATE – Spencer Faulkner blasted two home runs,
Michael Dolberry II hit three doubles, and
Chase Jernigan picked up his seventh save of the season as the Braves took care of Wingate 9-6 to sweep the season series Tuesday night at Ron Christopher Stadium.
Kody O'Connor homered for the fifth time in eight games to join the long ball party, as well.
The Braves (29-10) improved to 53-26 all-time against the Bulldogs (23-15), and are now 35-10 against Wingate in head coach
Paul O'Neil's tenure. The win was also the 16th victory in the last 20 games against their region rivals.
The Braves will continue their road trip Friday, April 12, as they travel to take on Belmont Abbey for a crucial Conference Carolinas series. First pitch Friday is set for 5 p.m., with a doubleheader Saturday slated to begin at 1 p.m.
| GAME SUMMARY |
| FINAL SCORE |
UNC Pembroke 9, Wingate 6 |
| PITCHERS |
WP: Kasen McCawley (2-2) LP: Collin McDougall (1-1) Save: Chase Jernigan (7) |
| RECORDS |
UNC Pembroke 29-10; Wingate 23-15 |
| KEY INNINGS |
| TOP 1 |
Spencer Faulkner got the game started with some yard work, driving an 0-2 pitch over the left field to jump the Braves out to an early 1-0 lead. |
| TOP 2 |
After Wingate tied the game at 1 in their half of the 1st, Faulkner struck again, this time with a 2-run blast to make it 3-1 UNCP. |
| TOP 4 |
Ashton Donathan would reach via error, move to 2nd on a ground out, and come around to score on Faulkner's RBI single, with Faulkner advancing 90 feet on the throw home. Michael Dolberry II would follow with an RBI single of his own to score Faulkner and give the Braves a 5-2 lead. Kody O'Connor got in on the action with a 2-run blast to stretch the lead to 7-2. |
| BOT 5 |
Wingate cut the lead to 7-5 on an RBI single from Sean Barnett and a 2-run homer from Brett Adams. |
| TOP 6 |
Blake Hinson led off the frame with a double, stole third, and came home on Faulkner's sac fly, his 5th RBI of the night, to make it 8-5 Braves. |
| TOP 8 |
Hinson again led off with an extra-base hit, this time a triple, and would score on Dolberry's third double of the night to make it 9-6. |
| UNCP LEADERS |
WU LEADERS |
Spencer Faulkner 3-4, 2 HR, 3 R, 5 RBI
Michael Dolberry II 4-5, 3 2B, SB, 2 RBI
Kody O'Connor 1-4, HR, BB, 2 RBI
Blake Hinson 2-4, 2B, 3B, 2 R
|
Sean Barnett 4-5, SB, 2 RBI
Brett Adams 1-4, HR, 3 RBI |
| UP NEXT |
| The Braves will continue their road trip Friday, April 12, as they travel to take on Belmont Abbey for a crucial Conference Carolinas series. First pitch Friday is set for 5 p.m., with a doubleheader Saturday slated to begin at 1 p.m. |
| 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. |
