March 6, 2009

WINGATE, N.C. - The Mars Hill College Lions rallied back from an early 4-0 deficit to defeat the Bulldogs of Wingate University 10-9 in thrilling South Atlantic Conference baseball action Friday night at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. Mars Hill (10-12 overall, 1-3 SAC) trailed 9-7 late, but scored two runs in the seventh and one in the ninth to pick up its first conference win of the year over Wingate (9-11, 0-1 SAC).

Senior infielder Corry DiBiase (Orlando, Fla.) and junior infielder Devin Presnell (Boone, N.C.) each had three hits, two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Mars Hill offense. Senior designated hitter Brian Williams (Orlando, Fla.) was three-for-four with an RBI and two runs scored.

Senior infielder Aaron Knowles (Hope Town, Bahamas) was one-for-two with a homer and three RBI to lead the Wingate offense. Senior outfielder Mark Letchworth (Greenville, N.C.) had a homer and two RBI for the Bulldogs.

Wingate got on the board early, scoring four runs in the first. Letchworth got it started with a two-run homer to left center, his team-best 10th homer of the year. RBI singles from freshmen infielders Joshua Karr (Richmond, Va.) and Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) put the Bulldogs on top 4-0.

Mars Hill scored a run in the second on an RBI double from junior outfielder Brandon Savoca (Riegelwood, N.C.) to make it 4-1. The Lions plated three runs in the third to tie the game at four. Williams got it started with an RBI single while DiBiase tied it with an RBI double.

Wingate took the lead in the bottom of the third on an RBI fielder’s choice from senior catcher Blair Troutman (Concord, N.C.). Mars Hill had the answer, tying the game in the fourth on a solo homer from Presnell.

The Lions took their first lead in the fifth, scoring two runs in the inning without a hit, taking advantage of two Wingate errors to go ahead 7-5.

Wingate responded in the sixth, starting with an RBI single from freshman infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) to cut the lead to one. Two batters later, Knowles connected with his first homer of the year, a three-run shot to left to give the Bulldogs a 9-7 lead.

Mars Hill had the answer, tying the game in the top of the seventh. A sacrifice fly from senior catcher Mike Dobre (Pompano Beach, Fla.) made it 9-8. Junior outfielder Patrick Davidson (Swannanoa, N.C.) scored the tying run on a wild pitch.

The Lions regained the lead in the ninth, as Dobre lined a two-out double to left center, then scored the game-winning run on an RBI single from Presnell.

Junior Justin Hall (Martinsville, Va.) came in to secure the win for the Lions, picking up his first save of the year by working a scoreless ninth. Sophomore Thomas White (Irmo, S.C.) got the win, improving to 1-1 on the year. He went two innings without allowing a hit while striking out two. Sophomore Cameron Falcon (Durham, N.C.) took the tough loss for the Bulldogs, allowing one run on three hits in three innings of work while striking out five.

The two teams meet again Saturday for a doubleheader, with game one starting at 1 p.m.

Boxscore...

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