by Kevin Buczek
HICKORY, N.C.-A depleted Barton College men's tennis active roster won four of seven matches played on Wednesday but an injury earlier in the week forced the Bulldogs to forfeit the bottom singles and doubles match to lose a 5-4 Southeast Region dual match against host Lenoir-Rhyne University at Hickory High School.
The Bears got into the win column for the first time on the season at 1-7 overall. Barton fell to 4-8 overall with its fourth straight loss.
Freshmen Rafael Ruiz Velasco and Nick Genest both won at singles and doubles to highlight play for the Bulldogs.
Genest partnered with sophomore Jorge Pradilla for an 8-5 win in the top doubles draw while Velasco teamed up with freshman Daniel Radu for an 8-6 victory at No. 2. The Royal Blue and White led 2-1 after doubles with L-R's only win being a forfeit at No. 3.
Genest and Pradilla improved to 7-5 paired together despite having to play atop the doubles lineups for the first time this season (they have played at No. 2 in their first 11 matches). Velasco and Radu start 1-0 as doubles teammates.
Velasco took out the Bears top singles player in straight sets for his team-best eighth singles dual match triumph. Velasco (8-4) won 6-3, 7-6.
Genest had the Bulldogs other singles win with a convincing 6-2, 6-2 conquest at the third position.
Genest (5-6) won for the first time at No. 3 but Pradilla, Radu and freshman Mihnea Tomos were all knocked off in two sets playing one spot higher in the lineup than usual with sophomore Max Leppert sitting out with injury.
Barton will try and get back on track in a Conference Carolinas home showdown against Lees-McRae College on Saturday at 1 p.m.
