BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University junior shortstop Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) picked a pretty good time to pick up his first hit of the season. The pre-season All-SAC selection lined a two-run double to left in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Bulldogs an 8-7 win over Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in NCAA Division II baseball action Sunday afternoon at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The ‘Dogs sweep the weekend series over Shippensburg, improving to 4-0 overall on the season, while the Raiders fall to 0-3 overall.

Senior outfielder Cale Rogers (Snow Camp, N.C.) went three-for-five on the afternoon, with two RBI and a run scored to lead the Wingate offense. Junior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) was three-for-four with an RBI and a run scored, while redshirt sophomore infielder James Tedder (Clemmons, N.C.) also had three hits, an RBI and a run scored.

Junior infielder Ben Miller (New Providence, Pa.) was three-four-four with two RBI and a run scored to lead the Shippensburg attack. Junior outfielder Cody Kulp (Boyertown, Pa.) had two hits, two RBI and a run scored for the Raiders, while junior infielder Eric Herman (Grantville, Pa.) was three-for-four with two runs scored.

The Raiders struck first, getting an RBI single from Kulp in the first to take a 1-0 lead. Wingate answered in the second, getting RBI singles from Rogers and McPherson to take a 2-1 advantage. Shippensburg sophomore catcher Steve Sulcoski (Hanover, Pa.) drew a bases-loaded walk in the third to tie the game at 2-2.

An RBI single from Miller put the Raiders on top 3-2 in the fourth. The Bulldogs had the answer in the bottom of the inning, tying the game on another RBI single from Rogers. Wingate regained the lead in the fifth, plating a pair of runs. McPherson led off the inning with a double, then scored on an RBI double from junior outfielder Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.). The ‘Dogs took a 5-3 lead on an RBI single from Tedder.

Shippensburg responded with a pair of runs in the sixth to tie it. Miller drove home the first run of the inning with a sacrifice fly, while a single from Kulp tied the game at five. Wingate took the lead once again in the eighth, when Rogers scored on a sacrifice fly from redshirt sophomore first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.) to make it 6-5.

The Raiders would not go away, scoring twice in the top of the ninth to take a 7-6 lead. Senior outfielder Jesse Smith (Hanover, Pa.) tied the game with an RBI double, then scored on a Wingate error to put Shippensburg on top.

The Bulldogs had the answer in the bottom of the ninth. Tedder led off the inning with a single, then went to second on a sacrifice. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Vazquez with one out. Vazquez lined an 0-1 pitch over the head of the left fielder, giving the Bulldogs the weekend sweep.

Sophomore right-hander Justin Somers (Wilmington, N.C.) got the win for the Bulldogs. He pitched the ninth, allowing two unearned runs on one hit to improve to 1-0 on the season. Junior right-hander Kody Kibler (McSherrystown, Pa.) took the loss. He allowed two earned runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning, falling to 0-1 on the year.

Wingate returns to action Tuesday, traveling to Lander University for a 3 p.m. start. The Bulldogs return home next weekend, hosting a three-game weekend series against Augusta State University. The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday at 2 p.m. and a single game Sunday at 1 p.m. Shippensburg travels to Catawba College next weekend, playing a doubleheader Saturday at 12 p.m.

(Wingate University assistant sports information director Hugh Patton wrote this article. Patton is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies.)