Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs scored four runs in the first inning and seven in the first three frames Monday afternoon, downing visiting Erskine College 8-4 in NCAA Division II baseball action at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. Wingate improves to 25-8 overall, while the Flying Fleet fall to 22-10 on the season.

Senior designated hitter Bradley Brown (Rockingham, N.C.) had a double and three RBI to lead the Wingate attack. Junior infielder Tyler Schneider (Richland, Ind.) added a homer and two RBI, while sophomore McCann Mellett (Charlotte, N.C.) contributed a double and an RBI. Junior Zach Little (Troutman, N.C.) also had a hit and an RBI for the Bulldogs, with senior Ty Andrus (Winston-Salem, N.C.) adding two hits and two runs scored. Classmate Brett Branton (Athens, Ga.) also had two hits and a run scored, with junior catcher Andrew Llewellyn (Moseley, Va.) collecting a pair of hits and a run scored.

Connor Greene had a homer and two RBI to lead the Erskine offense. Taylor Maxey added a double and an RBI, while Austin Mapes collected a double, RBI and a run scored for the Flying Fleet.

Erskine jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Mapes led off the game with a double, then scored when Greene connected on his second homer of the year, a two-run shot to right to put the Flying Fleet on top by two.

Wingate answered with four runs in the bottom of the first. Singles from Andrus and Schneider, along with a walk loaded the bases for Brown. The senior ripped a three-run double to right to put the Bulldogs on top. Little followed with an RBI single to make it 4-2.

Wingate added to its lead in the second when Andrus led off the inning with a walk, stole second, then scored on Schneider's RBI single.

Llewellyn and Branton started the third inning with singles. Llewellyn scored on a Justin Guy (Greensboro, N.C.) sacrifice fly, while Mellett's RBI single plated Branton to make it 7-2.

Schneider's fifth homer of the season came in the eighth, a solo shot down the left field line to put the 'Dogs on top by six. Maxey's RBI double in the ninth got Erskine within five, while an RBI single from Mapes made the final margin 8-4.  

Junior left-hander Riley Isenhour (Kernersville, N.C.) got the win, moving to 2-1. He allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings of work, striking out four and walking one. After allowing a pair of runs on three hits in the first, Isenhour tossed six shutout innings allowing just three hits the rest of the way. Will McSwain took the loss, falling to 1-2. He allowed seven runs on 10 hits in four innings, striking out five and walking three.

Wingate is back in action Tuesday, wrapping up a stretch of four games in three days, traveling to Limestone for a 6 p.m. start.