The Wingate Bulldogs defeated the Crusaders of Belmont Abbey College 6-3 in NCAA Division II baseball action Tuesday afternoon at Ron Christopher Stadium and Plyler Athletic Field. The Bulldogs improve to 2-0 overall on the year, while the Crusaders fall to 4-4 overall.

Roland Rodriguez was two-for-four with an RBI and a run scored to lead the Belmont Abbey offense. Sophomore outfielder Caleb Shore and senior catcher Daniel Torrente had two hits each for the visiting Crusaders.

Wingate sophomore outfielder Dodson McPherson drove in two runs, while classmates Casey Allison and Chris Vazquez had two hits each for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs got on the board early, plating three runs in the bottom of the first inning. McPherson got it started with a two-run single. Sophomore first baseman Brian Yeung followed with an RBI groundout to make it 3-0.

The Crusaders got on the board in the third when Torrente started the inning with a double, then scored on an RBI single from junior outfielder Tim Dye. Wingate pushed the lead back to three in the bottom of the inning when McPherson scored on an RBI single from Chris Vazquez to make it 4-1. Belmont Abbey cut the lead to two in the sixth on an RBI single by junior infielder Vazquez.

The Bulldogs again had the immediate answer, plating two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Redshirt senior outfielder Nick Siega-Riz reached on an error, then came around to score on an error to make it 5-2. Allison followed with a single and also scored on a Crusader error to give Wingate a four-run lead.

The Crusaders got one more run in the seventh on an RBI single from Rodriguez. Wingate went to a pair of seniors in the bullpen in the final two innings, recording the last six outs without allowing a hit.

Ethan Strickland improves to 1-0 overall on the year. He allowed two runs on six hits in five innings of work, while striking out three and walking two. Senior right-hander Lee Oxendine picked up his first save of the year. He pitched a perfect ninth, striking out the side in order. Belmont Abbey sophomore left-hander Nate Cudney took the loss, allowing six runs (four earned) on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings of work. He struck out five and hit four batters.