Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs took a 4-1 lead, then held off a ninth-inning rally from Lenoir-Rhyne University to notch a 4-3 victory over the Bears in a non-conference NCAA Division II baseball matchup Tuesday afternoon at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Bulldogs improve to 6-2 overall, while LRU falls to 2-8 on the year.
 
Junior designated hitter Jason Hunter (West Chester, Pa.) went two-for-three with a double and an RBI to lead the Wingate attack. Senior infielder Jacob Karr (Richmond, Va.) had two hits and two runs scored, while senior outfielder Dodson McPherson (Graham, N.C.) went two-for-three with a triple and a run scored.
 
Five different players had hits for the Bears, all of which were singles. Freshman outfielder Ivan Vieitez (Miami, Fla.) and senior outfielder Stephan Arcieri (Roswell, Ga.) each had a hit and a run scored for LRU, while freshman pinch-hitter Ryan Wiese (Charlotte, N.C.) was one-for-one with an RBI.
 
Wingate got on the board in the second, with Karr getting things started by ripping a one-out double down the left field line. Hunter followed with a single to move Karr to third, while a squeeze bunt from freshman infielder Michael Godinez (Cutler Bay, Fla.) plated the first run.
 
Godinez started Wingate’s rally in the fifth with a one-out single, while scoring on an RBI single from senior infielder Chris Vazquez (Tyrone, Ga.). The Bulldogs nearly added two more runs in the inning, but McPherson’s deep line drive to right was caught by Arcieri, jumping into the fence to end the inning.
 
The Bears got on the board in the top of the sixth. Vieitez singled to start the inning, then stole second and went to third on a groundout. He scored on a sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Rai Robinson (Kings Mountain, N.C.) to make it 2-1.
 
The Bulldogs answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Karr reached on an infielder single with two outs, while Hunter followed by lining a double down the right field line to push the lead to two. Wingate added one more insurance run in the eighth. McPherson led off the inning with a triple down the right field line, then scored on a sacrifice fly from redshirt junior first baseman Brian Yeung (Raleigh, N.C.), giving the ‘Dogs a 4-1 lead heading to the ninth.
 
A bunt single, infield single and walk, sandwiched around a pair of strikeouts loaded the bases for Lenoir-Rhyne with two outs in the top of the ninth. Wiese hit a high chopper right in front of home plate, and the Bulldogs were unable to make a play, allowing a run to score to make it 4-2. A fielding error on a ground ball made it 4-3, putting the tying run on third and go-ahead run at second. Wingate redshirt junior closer Josh Karr (Richmond, Va.) induced a flyout to right to end the game.
 
Sophomore right-hander Greyson Davis (New Bern, N.C.) got the win, allowing one run on two hits in 5 1/3 innings of work, striking out seven to move to 1-0 on the year. Freshman right-hander Brett Morgan (Clemmons, N.C.) pitched two perfect innings in relief with two strikeouts. Karr notched his second save of the year, allowing one earned run on three hits, striking out two. Junior left-hander Ryan Reedy (Clearwater, Fla.) took the loss, allowing three runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out four, falling to 0-2 on the season.

Wingate returns to action Wednesday, traveling to Belmont Abbey for a 2 p.m. start. The Bulldogs return home this weekend, opening conference play against Tusculum Friday night at 6 p.m. The teams meet again for a doubleheader Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. Lenoir-Rhyne hosts Lincoln Memorial Friday night at 6 p.m.