BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University junior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) broke a 4-4 tie in the bottom of the eighth with a two-run triple, leading the Bulldogs past the Lions of Mars Hill College in the South Atlantic Conference opener for both teams Friday night at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The 29th-ranked Bulldogs win their seventh straight game, improving to 11-1 overall and 1-0 in the SAC. Mars Hill falls to 5-7 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

Redshirt sophomore infielder James Tedder (Clemmons, N.C.) was two-for-five with two RBI to lead the Wingate offense. Freshman infielder Cody Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) had a pair of hits and a run scored, while McPherson drove in three runs for the Bulldogs.

Senior outfielder Michael Brittian (Asheville, N.C.) went two-for-three with a double and three RBI to lead the Mars Hill attack. Junior infielder Christian Diaz (Mansfield, Texas) and senior outfielder Rusty Smith (Leesburg, Va.) each had two hits and two runs scored for the Lions.

The Bulldogs plated a run in the first when junior infielder Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) led off the game with a double to right, then scored on an RBI groundout from McPherson.

Wingate added three more runs in the second to take a four-run lead. Vazquez drew a bases-loaded walk to plate the first run, while Tedder followed with a two-out, two-run single to center to make it 4-0.

Mars Hill got on the board in the fourth when Diaz scored on a Wingate error. The Lions added two more in the sixth to cut the lead to one when Brittian ripped a two-run double down the right field line.

The Lions tied the game in the top of the eighth on an RBI single from Brittian.

Wingate had the answer in the bottom of the inning, with Shelton starting things off with a leadoff single to right. Vazquez was hit by a pitch with two outs, bringing McPherson to the plate. The preseason All-SAC selection lined his league-leading third triple of the season down the right field line, plating a pair of runs to give the ‘Dogs a 6-4 lead.

Sophomore right-hander Justin Somers (Wilmington, N.C.) shut the door on the Lions in the ninth, retiring Mars Hill in order to notch his league-best fifth save of the season. He preserved the win for senior right-hander Cameron Falcon (Durham, N.C.). Falcon allowed a run on three hits in 1 2/3 innings, striking out three to improve to 1-0 on the year. Senior left-hander Chris Nelson (Greenville, S.C.) racked up a career-high 12 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings of work. Senior right-hander Tyler Stephenson (Clyde, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 1-2 on the year. He allowed two runs on two hits in one inning of work.

The two teams meet again Saturday for a doubleheader, with game one starting at 1 p.m. at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field.