Greenwood, S.C.----The Lander University Bearcats defeated Wingate University 8-3 in NCAA Division II baseball action Tuesday afternoon at Legion Field. The Bearcats improve to 3-2 on the season, while Wingate falls to 4-1 overall.

Senior infielder Robert Skinner (Hartsville, S.C.) was two-for-three with a double, triple, three RBI and a run scored to lead the Lander offense. Junior shortstop Alan Abreu (Miami, Fla.), junior shortstop AJ Nunziato (S. Setauket, N.Y.) and junior first baseman Jordan Owens (Inman, S.C.) each had an RBI and a run scored for the Bearcats.

Senior catcher Taylor Honeycutt (Indian Trail, N.C.) had a homer and two RBI to lead the Wingate offense. The Bulldogs struck first in the third inning, getting a two-run homer from Honeycutt, his first of the season.

Lander had the answer in the fourth, plating seven runs. Abreu, Owens and junior outfielder Marshall Creed (Matoon, Ill.) got it started with RBI singles, while Skinner added a two-run triple to right field to make it 6-2. He scored on an RBI single from Nunziato to give the Bearcats a five-run lead.

Wingate cut the lead to four when freshman infielder Matthew Barrier (Mt. Pleasant, N.C.) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The Bearcats again had the answer when Skinner drove an RBI double to left center to make it 8-3.

Junior left-hander Todd Hughson (Lawson, Mo.) got the win for the Bearcats, improving to 1-0 on the season. He allowed two runs on three hits in five innings, of work, striking out seven. Freshman right-hander Ben Currie (Clemmons, N.C.) took the loss, allowing six runs (two earned) on three hits in 3 2/3 innings of work, striking out four to fall to 0-1 on the season.

The Bulldogs return to action Wednesday, hosting St. Andrews Presbyterian College at 4 p.m. Lander is back in action Friday, hosting Tampa at 2 p.m.