BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs used a four-run sixth inning to overcome a three-run deficit en route to a 6-4 win over the Knights of St. Andrews Presbyterian College Wednesday evening at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Bulldogs improve to 5-1 overall, while St. Andrews is 0-1 overall on the season.

Six different Bulldogs drove in a run on Wednesday. Redshirt sophomore catcher Jason Hunter (West Chester, Pa.) had an RBI and two runs scored, while junior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) also scored a pair of runs. Freshman infielder Cody Shelton (Charlotte, N.C.) had a pair of hits for the Bulldogs, while junior outfielder Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.) had a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Junior catcher Jake Anderson (Boulder, Colo.) was two-for-four with an RBI to lead the St. Andrews offense. Freshman designated hitter Matt Malik (Inverness, Fla.) also had a pair of hits for the Knights, while junior outfielder Ethan Powell (Greenville, N.C.) had an RBI and a run scored.

The Knights struck early, scoring three runs in the first inning. Powell plated a run with a bunt, while the final run scored on a single from Anderson to make it 3-0. Wingate scored a run in the third when Hunter scored on a sacrifice fly from junior shortstop Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.). The Knights pushed the lead back to three in the fourth on an RBI groundout from sophomore outfielder John Allen Renn (Wake Forest, N.C.).

Allison drove home Wingate’s first run of the sixth with a double to deep left. He scored on an RBI single from redshirt sophomore infielder James Tedder (Clemmons, N.C.) to make it a one-run game. Hunter tied the game with an RBI groundout, while an RBI single from senior outfielder Cale Rogers (Snow Camp, N.C.) put the Bulldogs on top. Wingate added one more run in the seventh when McPherson scored on an RBI groundout from senior outfielder Brandon Santiago (Monroe, N.C.) to make it 6-4 Bulldogs.

Sophomore right-hander Steven Chaffee (Greenville, S.C.) got the win in relief for the Bulldogs. He allowed only one hit in three innings of work, striking out four without walking a batter to improve to 1-0 on the season. Sophomore right-hander Justin Somers (Wilmington, N.C.) worked the ninth to nail down his third save of the year, collecting a pair of strikeouts. Sophomore right-hander Ryan Pierce (Laurinburg, N.C.) took the loss, allowing four runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings, falling to 0-1 on the year.

Wingate returns to action Saturday, hosting Augusta State University for a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. The two teams play a third game Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. The Knights host Winston-Salem State University Saturday at 2 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.)