BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University junior outfielders Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) and Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.) combined to go seven-for-nine with five RBI and six runs scored to lead the Bulldogs past the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne University 11-6 in South Atlantic Conference baseball action Friday night at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. Wingate improves to 17-10 overall and 6-4 in the SAC, while the Bears fall to 4-20 overall and 2-7 in the conference.

McPherson went four-for-four on the night, with a double, two RBI and three runs. Allison had a double, homer and three RBI on the night, while scoring three times. Junior infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) went three-for-four with a double, two RBI and a run scored, while senior outfielder Cale Rogers (Snow Camp, N.C.) had two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored.

Freshman infielder Mike Gasque (Mebane, N.C.) was two-for-four with a double, two RBI and a run scored to lead the Lenoir-Rhyne attack. Freshman infielder Walton Shepherd (Lake Junaluska, N.C.) and junior outfielder Stephan Arcieri (Roswell, Ga.) each went two-for-five with an RBI and run scored for the Bears.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a quick lead, plating three runs in the first inning. McPherson drove home the first run with an RBI double, then scored on an RBI single from Allison. Karr followed with an RBI single to plate Allison to make it 3-0.

The Bears answered with three runs of their own in the second to tie it. Shepherd drove home the first run when he reached on an RBI fielder’s choice. Gasque tied the game with a two-run double to left center.

Wingate responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead. Rogers ripped an RBI double into the gap in right center to make it 4-3. Junior shortstop Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.) followed with an RBI single to push the lead to two.

Allison lined a two-out double in the fifth, then scored on an RBI single from Karr to make it 6-3. McPherson led off the seventh with a single, then scored on a double from Karr. An RBI single from redshirt sophomore infielder James Tedder (Clemmons, N.C.) plated Karr to make it 8-3.

Wingate added three more insurance runs in the eighth to push the lead to eight. Rogers doubled to start the inning, while McPherson drove him home with an RBI single. Allison plated the final two runs of the night for the Bulldogs, connecting on a towering two-run homer over the scoreboard in left, his team-best fifth of the year to make it 11-3.

The Bears scored three times in the ninth to cut the final deficit to five. Arcieri plated the first run with an RBI single, while the second run of the inning scored on a groundout. Arcieri scored the final run of the night on a wild pitch.

Senior left-hander Chris Nelson (Greenville, N.C.) got the win, improving to 3-1 on the year. He allowed three unearned runs on six hits in seven innings of work, striking out eight while throwing 124 pitches. Senior right-hander Brandon Padgett (Statesville, N.C.) took the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season. He allowed eight runs on 12 hits in 6 2/3 innings, striking out four and walking four.

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.