Box Score  

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs used a four-run fifth inning Wednesday night to secure a 6-2 victory over visiting Belmont Abbey College in NCAA Division II baseball action at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Bulldogs improve to 18-7 overall while the Crusaders fall to 11-18 on the season.

Senior outfielder Eric Serra (Miami, Fla.) was three-for-four with a double, RBI and run scored to lead the Wingate attack. Junior shortstop Michael Godinez (Cutler Bay, Fla.) was two-for-four with two RBI, while junior catcher Josh Clark (Clemmons, N.C.) also had a pair of RBI for the Bulldogs.

Weston Clarke went one-for-three with an RBI to lead the BAC attack. Michael Falsetti was two-for-two with a run scored, while Kennan Stanley added an RBI for the Crusaders.

Belmont Abbey jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second. Falsetti started the frame by reaching on a bunt single. He would end up scoring on a sacrifice fly from Stanley to give the Crusaders a 1-0 lead.

Wingate tied the game with a run in the fourth. Serra led off the frame with a double, then scored on Clark's sacrifice fly to make it 1-1.

The Bulldogs plated four runs in the fifth to take a four-run lead. A single and two walks loaded the bases, while Godinez made it 3-1 with a two-run single. Serra added an RBI single, while Clark's RBI single gave the 'Dogs a four-run advantage.

The Crusaders trimmed the lead to three in the sixth when Kayden Krause scored on a sacrifice fly from Clarke. Wingate regained a four-run lead in the seventh when junior outfielder Thomas Spitz (West Chester, Pa.) scored on a Belmont Abbey error.

Sophomore left-hander TJ Rinoski (Yorktown, Va.) got the win, moving to 1-2 on the year. The 2013 SAC Freshman of the Year allowed two runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, striking out six and walking two. Sophomore right-hander Brett Morgan (Clemmons, N.C.) and Tyler Brown (Suffolk, Va.) along with freshman left-hander Patrick Haynes (Charlotte, N.C.) combined to pitch 3 1/3 innings of hitless relief, striking out four. Kyle Rogers took the loss for the Crusaders, allowing three runs on two hits in 1 2/3 innings, striking out two and walking one to fall to 1-1 on the year.

Wingate returns to action Friday, traveling to Newberry for a 6 p.m. start.