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Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs overcame an early 5-0 deficit and took an 8-5 lead, but late miscues cost the Bulldogs as the top-ranked Trojans of Mount Olive College rallied for a 10-8 victory in NCAA Division II baseball action Sunday afternoon at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Trojans improve to 5-1 overall, while the Bulldogs fall to 5-2 on the year.
 
Sophomore infielder Bradon Reitano (Hillsborough, N.C.) was two-for-four with two RBI and two runs scored for the Trojans. Senior catcher Nick Gaeta (Montville, N.Y.) was three-for-five with an RBI and a run scored, while junior outfielder Bryan Dunlavey (Scottsdale, Ariz.) also had an RBI and two runs scored.
 
Senior infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) had two RBI and two runs scored to lead the Wingate attack. Freshman designated hitter Josh Clark (Clemmons, N.C.) was two-for-four with two RBI, while freshman outfielder Thomas Spitz (West Chester, Pa.) was two-for-four with a double, RBI and a run scored for the Bulldogs.
 
The Trojans scored a pair of runs in the first, when the first two hitters reached via walks. A passed ball advanced the runners to second and third, while another passed ball plated the first run. An error on the play allowed the second run to score, making the score 2-0. An RBI fielder’s choice from Dunlavey made the tally 3-0 in the second. Reitano added a two-run single through the left side to put the Trojans on top by five.
 
Wingate got on the board in the fourth, scoring three runs to cut the lead to two. The first run of the inning scored on a Mount Olive error, while an RBI single from Karr made it 5-2. Clark followed with another RBI single to get the Bulldogs to within two runs.
 
Wingate plated five runs in the fifth to take a three-run lead. Spitz started things with a lead-off double; he scored on an RBI single from senior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.). A sacrifice fly from senior outfielder Casey Allison (Horse Shoe, N.C.) tied the game at five. Karr added another two-out RBI single to put Wingate on top, while an RBI single from Clark made the score 7-5. Spitz drew a bases-loaded walk to cap the scoring in the inning, give the ‘Dogs a three-run lead.
 
Mount Olive took a run off the deficit in the seventh, when senior outfielder Jacob Rogers (Clearwater, Fla.) started the inning with a single, then came around to score on a sacrifice fly from junior third baseman Jermaine Berry (Suffolk, Va.) to make it 8-6.
 
The Trojans loaded the bases with two outs in the eighth, trailing by two runs. Gaeta grounded a ball up the middle, which was stopped by a diving Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.). The Bulldog second baseman tried to get Gaeta at first, but the low throw got past first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.). Yeung then tried throwing out Gaeta going to second, but that throw went into the outfield, allowing all four runs to score on the play. The sequence would be the difference in the game, with the Trojans holding on for a 10-8 win.
 
Sophomore right-hander Justin Weaver (Nokesville, Va.) got the win in relief, improving to 1-0 on the year. He allowed only one hit in 1 1/3 innings of work. Junior right-hander Talton Cherry (Greenville, N.C.) pitched the final 1 1/3 innings to notch his first save of the year. Senior right-hander Ryan Fitzpatrick (Jacksonville, Fla.) took the loss, falling to 0-1 on the year. He allowed two unearned runs on one hit against the three batters he faced.
 
Wingate returns to action Tuesday, hosting Lenoir-Rhyne in a non-conference regional match-up at 4 p.m. Mount Olive returns home Saturday, hosting LeMoyne (N.Y.) College for a 12 noon doubleheader.
 
(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.)