Belmont Nips Diamond 'Dogs, 3-2, With Ninth-Inning Tally
March 31, 2007 | Baseball
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Gardner-Webb took a 2-0 lead into the seventh
inning, but Belmont scored single runs in the seventh, eighth and
ninth to capture a 3-2 win in Saturday's nightcap.
The Bruins got a sacrifice fly in the eighth to tie the score, 2-2,
and won the game on a sacrifice fly by pitcher Carlo Testa with one
out in the ninth - capturing the series.
Gardner-Webb (13-19, 3-6 A-Sun) lost its fourth league game by two
runs or less in the process.
The Diamond 'Dogs broke a scoreless tie with two outs in the fourth
inning, as Justin Loyd trotted home after a failed pickoff attempt
at third base, giving GWU starter Ben Campbell a 1-0 lead.
GWU added a run in the top of the fifth to go up 2-0, as Nate
MacDonald singled, Jon Ahearn bunted aboard safely, Shea Harris
bunted the pair into scoring position, and Jamall Kinard executed a
nice sacrifice squeeze bunt for an RBI - before Belmont's Testa
could work out of the inning.
Campbell remained in control, but allowed a leadoff double to
Wilson Tucker in the seventh and - after a fielding error moved
Tucker to third - was called for a balk that sent Tucker home and
cut the Bulldogs' lead in half.
Brady Manifold then led off the eighth for Belmont, getting on
board via an error, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Matt Reynolds
to tie the score.
Jonathon Ban came on to get GWU out of that inning still tied.
Webster Beal came on in the ninth with a man on, got an out, then
gave up the game winning sacrifice to Testa.
Ban (2-3) took the loss for GWU, working 0.2 innings and allowing
just one run.
Daniel Cooke (2-for-3) and MacDonald (2-for-4) each had a pair of
Gardner-Webb's eight hits, as GWU stranded seven base runners in
what amounted to a pitcher's duel in the finale.
Chris Manning picked up the win with 0.2 innings of relief work for
Belmont. The Bruins collected just four hits in the game, but made
those hits count.
Gardner-Webb will not have a non-league date next week, with its
next game on the road at league leader Stetson on Thursday night at
7 pm ET in DeLand, Fla. The Bulldogs and Hatters will also play on
Friday and Saturday at Melching Field.
