St. Augustine, Fla.----The Wingate University Bulldogs are off to their best start since before 2000 after picking up a 7-6 victory over Valdosta State Sunday afternoon. The 'Dogs cap an impressive undefeated weekend that included victories over Flagler and Florida Tech, moving to 7-0 on the year. Valdosta State falls to 3-4 overall.

"I thought our team really competed today and found a way to win," head coach Jeff Gregory says. "I saw a lot of good things this weekend. Our bullpen was really strong and we had some good starts on the mound. We had a good weekend offensively and did well to put some runs on the board. We faced some really good pitchers and some good teams, so I'm proud of our effort. I like how we have started the year, but there is a lot of season left. Our schedule will continue to challenge us, so we need to keep working and be diligent with our preparation for each game."

Senior infielder Brett Branton (Augusta, Ga.) went three-for-four with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored to lead the Wingate offense. Senior designated hitter Bradley Brown (Rockingham, N.C.) added a homer and two RBI, while classmate Ty Andrus (Winston-Salem, N.C.) was four-for-five with a double, RBI and run scored.

Ross Goforth had a homer and three RBI to lead the Valdosta State offense, with Kendall Herron and Andy Haughton each adding a hit and RBI for the Blazers.

Valdosta State jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first when Goforth connected on a three-run homer.

Wingate answered with four runs in the bottom of the second inning to take the lead. Brown got the scoring started by connecting on his first homer of the year and 36th of his career, a two-run shot to right to make it 3-2. Junior infielder Zach Little (Troutman, N.C.) followed with a single, then scored on Brantons' RBI double to tie it. Branton came around to score on an RBI single from Andrus to put the 'Dogs on top 4-3.

Little reached on a one-out single in the third, stole second, then scored on Branton's RBI single to make it 5-3.

Valdosta State took advantage of a Wingate error and wild pitch to get within a run in the top of the fifth, but the Bulldogs regained a two-run lead when Branton led off the bottom of the frame with his first career homer, a solo shot to left to make it 6-4.

The Blazers got back within a run on Herron's RBI single in the top of the seventh, while an RBI double from Haughton in the top of the eighth tied it. The Blazers looked to take the lead in the inning, with runners on second and third no outs, but sophomore right-hander Josh Karklin (Waxhaw, N.C.) got out of the jam with a pair of groundouts and a flyout, keeping it tied 6-6. 

Andrus ripped a one-out double down the leftfield line in the bottom of the eighth, moved to third on a lineout to center by pinch-hitter Micah Goodwin (Rougemont, N.C.), then scored on a wild pitch to put the Bulldogs on top 7-6. Karklin shut down the Blazers in the ninth, getting a strikeout to end the game.

Karklin got the win, moving to 1-0 on the year. He tossed two shutout innings with a strikeout, allowing just one hit. Logan Elliot took the loss, allowing a run on a hit in 1 1/3 innings, striking out two while falling to 0-1 on the year.

Wingate is back in action Wednesday, hosting USC Aiken at 3 p.m.