MOUNT OLIVE, NC — Mount Olive rallied late to force extra innings, but Wingate sealed a 14-8 win with a six-run 10th inning in this nonconference matchup.
An early Mount Olive fielding error and two stolen bases put Wingate runners in scoring position. The Bulldogs capitalized with an RBI walk and a two-run single, taking a 3-0 advantage in the opening inning.
The Bulldogs continued to build momentum in the second inning. A single, an error, and a wild pitch helped Wingate push across two additional runs to extend the lead to 5-0. Then, another run came home in the third on a sacrifice fly, stretching the margin to Although Mount Olive struggled to generate offense early, the team finally broke through in the sixth inning.
Ryder Hancock opened the frame with a single before
Lane McLean launched a two-run home run down the left-field line, cutting the deficit to 6-2.o 6-2.
Wingate added an unearned run in the seventh to push the lead back to five runs. However, the Trojans were not done yet, as they mounted a late comeback.
Mount Olive began the rally in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded,
Dawson Ables delivered a two-run single through the left side to score
Lane McLean and
Tanner Ferguson, trimming the deficit to 7-4 and building momentum.
Mount Olive completed its comeback in the ninth inning.
Josh Mason singled, and
Tanner Ferguson was hit by a pitch to put two runners on base. With the bases loaded,
Lane McLean earned an RBI by being hit by a pitch.
Jakhari Howard then delivered a dramatic two-run double to tie the game at 7-7. A subsequent ground ball double play brought in another run, giving Mount Olive its first lead, 8-7.
Wingate responded quickly at the top of the ninth to tie the contest at 8-8, forcing extra innings.
In the 10th inning, the Bulldogs regained control. Building on their momentum, Wingate used multiple walks, a two-run double, and a sacrifice fly to score six runs and build a 14-8 lead. Despite having one final chance, Mount Olive was unable to respond in the bottom half of the inning as Wingate secured the victory.
