Wingate, N.C.----The 29th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, then went on to win 9-8 in the 10th inning over Limestone College in NCAA Division II baseball action Wednesday afternoon at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The ‘Dogs win their sixth straight, and improve to 10-1 overall, while the Saints fall to 5-2 on the season.

Wingate has trailed after seven innings four times this season, and come back to win three of those contests, including both wins this week. Junior shortstop Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) went three-for-four with a homer, three RBI and three runs scored to lead the Wingate attack. Junior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) had three hits and an RBI for the Bulldogs. Redshirt sophomore first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.), junior infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.), freshman infielder Cody Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) and senior outfielder Cale Rogers (Snow Camp, N.C.) each had two hits and an RBI.

Freshman outfielder Chad Balderman (Irmo, S.C.) had a homer and three RBI to lead the Limestone attack. Junior outfielder Jeremy Peed (Roxboro, N.C.) was three-for-five with an RBI and two runs scored. Senior infielder David Christy (Greenville, S.C.) was two-for-three with an RBI and two runs scored, while junior outfielder Jayvon Sanders (Rembert, S.C.) was two-for-five with two RBI and a run scored.

An RBI double from Christy gave Limestone a 1-0 lead in the second. He scored on an RBI double from Peed to push the lead to two.

Wingate got on the board in the fifth, when Shelton scored on an RBI double from Rogers. An RBI single from Vazquez tied the game at two, while McPherson put the ‘Dogs on top with an RBI single.

The Saints answered with four runs in the sixth to regain the lead. Balderman delivered the big blow with a three-run homer to give Limestone a 5-3 lead. An RBI single from senior infielder Micah Robinson (DeLand, Fla.) made it 6-3.

Vazquez led off the seventh with his second homer of the season to pull the Bulldogs within two.

The Saints answered in the eighth, getting a two-run single from sanders to take an 8-4 lead. An RBI double from Vazquez in the eighth cut the deficit to three.

Wingate trailed 8-5 in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and nobody on base. A walk to junior outfielder Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.), followed by a balk and RBI single from Karr made it 8-6. After another walk put the tying run on base, Shelton lined a single to right field, which got by the right fielder and allowed both runners to score, tying it at eight and sending it to extras.

After a 1-2-3 top half of the 10th, Vazquez led off the home half with a walk. The next two men were retired, bringing up Yeung with two outs. He ripped an 0-2 pitch to deep left, plating Vazquez with the game-winning double.

Sophomore right-hander Stephen Chaffee (Greenville, S.C.) got the win, improving to 2-0 on the season. He entered the game with two outs and a runner on third in the eighth, and retired all seven batters he faced in the game. Peed took the loss, allowing a run on one hit in two-thirds of an inning, falling to 0-1 on the year.

Wingate is back in action Friday, opening conference play at home against Mars Hill at 6 p.m. The Bulldogs and Lions meet for a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. Limestone travels to Flagler College Friday for a