WINGATE, N.C. – The Emory & Henry College Baseball Team (7-11, 2-4 SAC) made history on Saturday as it earned the first South Atlantic Conference win and series win in program history, as well as picking up the program's first victory over a Division II nationally-ranked team. The Wasps took both games of a doubleheader over No. 14 nationally-ranked Wingate University (12-6, 3-3 SAC). E&H held off a Bulldog rally to win game one 7-4 and overcame a four run deficit in game two to edge Wingate by an 8-6 scoreline.
The Basics
GAME ONE – Emory & Henry 7, No. 14 Wingate 4
GAME TWO – Emory & Henry 8, No. 14 Wingate 6 (seven innings)
LOCATION – Wingate, North Carolina
VENUE – Plyler Field at Ron Christopher Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (7-11, 2-4 SAC); Wingate (12-6, 3-3 SAC)
Game One – Emory & Henry 7, No. 14 Wingate 4
For the second time in as many games, the Wasps were first on the scoreboard. Junior third baseman Jared Foley (Sparta, N.C.) led off the game with a single and immediately stole second. Foley moved up on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Wayne Mize (Salisbury, N.C.) to make it 1-0.
Back-to-back singles from fifth-year shortstop Mason Lyda (Mills River, N.C.) and senior second baseman Noah Mazza (Plainfield, Ill.) to lead off the top of the third set the table for senior outfielder Tyler Bradley (Bessemer City, N.C.). Bradley spun on a pitch and crushed it over the right field fence for a three-run round tripper to push the Wasps' advantage to 4-0.
E&H added three more in the top of the eighth as Lyda scored on a Wingate error and Bradley drove in Foley and Mazza with his two-RBI single to give the Wasps the 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs posted four runs in the bottom of the eighth, but Lyda closed the door with the final out of the eighth inning and a scoreless ninth to earn his second save of the season and give the Wasps the 7-4 victory.
Junior right-hander Bryson Wagner (Salisbury, N.C.) earned the win on the mound for Emory & Henry as he went seven strong innings, scattering four hits and two runs while striking out five Bulldog batters. Austin Mitchell took the loss for Wingate after working seven innings and giving up six runs.
Game Two – Emory & Henry 8, No. 14 Wingate 6(seven innings)
Wingate flipped the script in the second game of the doubleheader as they scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning. A solo home run from Brett Adams and a three-run double from Carson Simpson put the Bulldogs on top 4-0 after one. E&H responded in the top of the second with an RBI double from junior outfielder Matt Hill (Pineville, N.C.) to cut the Wingate advantage to 4-1.
Mazza led off the top of the third with a hit by pitch and Foley singled to set the stage for Tyler Bradley once more. Bradley left the yard for the second time of the afternoon with a three-run shot to right field to tie things up at 4-4. The tie was short-lived, as Isaiah Williams-Rhem smashed a two-run homer of his own in the bottom half of the inning to push the Bulldogs back in front 6-4.
The Wasps would not go away, as Bradley drew a walk and Mize singled to start the fifth. Junior first baseman Cole Cunningham (Wake Forest, N.C.) roped a two-RBI double down the left field line to score the runners and draw the two teams level at 6-6.
The two teams were held scoreless in the sixth inning and Foley led off the top of the deciding seventh inning with a double to right center. Bradley continued his offensive onslaught with his third home run of the day, this one of the two-run variety to give the visitors from Emory the 8-6 lead over the 2021 National Champions. Lyda threw his second shutdown inning of the day to earn another save and clinch the series win for the Wasps.
Senior righty Zach Clover (Cary, N.C.) was credited with the win on the hill for E&H after posting two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Sam Brodersen was saddled with the loss for Wingate, as he surrendered the decisive two-run home run in the seventh.
Up Next
Emory & Henry steps out of conference play on Tuesday with a trip to Wilson, North Carolina to take on the Bulldogs of Barton College in non-conference action. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Barton's Nixon Field.
—E&H—