April 23, 2009

WINGATE, N.C. - Mars Hill College's Matt Oleski (West Seneca, N.Y.) hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, and Justin Hall (Martinsville, Va.) pitched a complete game as the third-seeded Lions defeated No. 4 seed Wingate University, 6-3, Thursday night in the final game of day one of the 2009 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Baseball Tournament.

The game turned out to be a pitchers' dual between Hall and Wingate's Tyler Almond (Oakboro, N.C.).

With the score tied 3-3 in the eighth inning, Oleski blasted a three-run shot to right field off of reliever Lee Oxendine (Laurinburg, N.C.). Brian Williams (Orlando, Fla.) and Brandon Savoca (Riegelwood, N.C.) scored on the play.

The Bulldogs (23-18) got two runners aboard in the ninth inning, but Hall got a strikeout and a fly out to end the game.

It was a rocky start for Hall as his first offering of the game was sent over the scoreboard in left field by Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.) to give the Bulldogs an early 1-0 lead. Wingate added another run in the third when Allison led off with a single and later scored on Mark Letchworth's (Greenville, N.C.) RBI single.

The Lions answered in the bottom of the inning with a pair of scores, highlighted by a RBI double from Mike Dobre (Pompano Beach, Fla.) and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Cory DiBiase (Orlando, Fla.).

Wingate regained the lead in the top of the fourth as the Bulldogs mounted a two-out rally. Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) connected on his 15th double of the year and came into score on Dustin Hurdle's (Burlington, N.C.) hit up the middle.

Mars Hill answered with a run in the fourth. Mike Kitt (West Islip, N.Y.) reached on an error, stole second and scored on Patrick Davidson's (Swannanoa, N.C.) RBI single.

Hall (6-2) went the distance as he scattered eight hits, allowed three runs, walked one and struck out five. Almond (4-4) also had a solid outing as he went seven innings, allowed five hits, four runs, three earned, walked three and struck out 10 in the loss.

Mars Hill (27-18) will face No. 2 seed Catawba College on Friday. First pitch from Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Field on the Wingate campus is set for 7:30 p.m.

Boxscore...

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