MOUNT OLIVE, N.C. — A dramatic late comeback by the Mount Olive Trojans baseball forced extra innings, but Wingate Bulldogs baseball surged ahead in the 10th inning to claim a 14-8 nonconference victory.
Wingate jumped out to an early lead after a Mount Olive fielding error and two stolen bases put runners in scoring position in the opening inning. The Bulldogs capitalized with an RBI walk and a two-run single to take a 3-0 advantage.
The visitors continued to build momentum in the second inning. A single, an error, and a wild pitch helped Wingate push across two more runs to extend the lead to 5-0. The Bulldogs added another run in the third on a sacrifice fly, stretching the lead to 6-0.
Mount Olive struggled offensively through the early innings but finally broke through in the sixth. Ryder Hancock led off with a single before Lane McLean launched a two-run home run down the left-field line, cutting the deficit to 6-2.
Wingate answered with an unearned run in the seventh to make it 7-2, but the Trojans began to mount a comeback 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.
Mount Olive’s rally continued in the ninth inning. Josh Mason singled and Tanner Ferguson was hit by a pitch to put two runners aboard. With the bases loaded, McLean was hit by a pitch to drive in a run. Moments later, Jakhari Howard delivered a clutch two-run double to tie the game at 7-7.
A ground ball double play allowed another run to score, giving the Trojans their first lead of the game at 8-7.
Wingate quickly responded in the top of the ninth, scoring to even the game at 8-8 and force extra innings.
In the 10th inning, the Bulldogs regained control. Taking advantage of multiple walks, Wingate added a two-run double and a sacrifice fly as part of a six-run inning to take a commanding 14-8 lead.
Mount Olive had one final chance in the bottom of the 10th but was unable to respond as Wingate secured the nonconference win.
