Wingate, N.C.----Wingate sophomore Ryan Forbes (Charlotte, N.C.) won two matches, including the clinching decision, as the Bulldogs defeated NCAA Division II Southeast Region rival Limestone College 5-4 Saturday at the WU Tennis Complex.
 
Wingate improves to 3-2 overall, while Limestone drops its spring season opener. The Bulldogs visit Johnson C. Smith Thursday for a 2:30 p.m. match. Limestone opens Conference Carolinas play Thursday against Belmont Abbey.
 
Forbes defeated Limestone sophomore Daniel Lopez 6-2, 6-4 at the number six singles flight. The host Bulldogs won the last three singles matches to pick up the victory. Wingate freshman Diego Martinez (Queretaro, Mexico) tied the score 4-4 with a 7-6, 6-2 victory over Limestone freshman Lucas Guinski at number five singles. Wingate senior Drew Owen (Kitchener, Ontario) pulled the hosts within a point when he defeated Limestone junior Abraham Lascari Diaz 6-0, 6-4 at the number four flight.
 
Forbes and senior Flavio Rathsam (Sao Paulo, Brazil) started the day with an 8-5 victory over Guinski and junior Carlos Yanes at the number one doubles flight. Yanes is regionally ranked in doubles. Rathsam also won two matches Saturday, as he defeated LC senior Mike Stephenson 6-3, 6-3 at the number two singles position.

Yanes defeated Wingate senior Matt Lichtenstein (Darnestown, Md.) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the battle of the number one players. Lichtenstein is the number 46 player in the NCAA Division II top 50. Earlier in the day, Limestone took the number two and the number three doubles matches to set the stage for Wingate’s rally. The Saints took the number three doubles match 8-0, thanks to the efforts of Lascari Diaz and Lopez.