Diamond 'Dogs Offense Sputters In 8-0 Loss At Western Carolina
April 30, 2008 | Baseball
CULLOWHEE – Gardner-Webb's offense produced a Wednesday
sputter for the second week in a row, and the Diamond ‘Dogs
dropped an 8-0 decision at Western Carolina.
The loss was the first shutout of the season for Gardner-Webb
(21-24), which has seen its potent offensive attack hemmed in badly
the past two Wednesdays. This time, it was Western Carolina (21-23)
producing plenty of offense to back its mid-week pitching, rapping
out 16 hits to sweep the two-game season series from GWU.
Western Carolina plated three runs in the second inning, one in the
third and three more in the fourth to put the game out of reach
– as Gardner-Webb couldn't mount any considerable threat.
The only hot bat for Gardner-Webb was Justin Loyd, who went 3-for-4
in the cleanup spot – but didn't have any base runners to
drive home, with the top three in the GWU order combining to go
0-for-8.
Kurt Fulginiti and Matt Rizzuto had the only other hits for the
Bulldogs – who were held to their lowest hit total since March
8 at Florida Gulf Coast.
Western Carolina's Brandon Johnson worked six shutout innings in
the start, allowing just three hits and fanning five (no walks).
Chris Masters and Tyler Sexton worked the final three innings to
preserve the goose egg on the visitors half of the scoreboard.
Gardner-Webb freshman Kyle Paeplow (0-1) made his first career
start on the mound – and was victimized by three unearned runs
in the second inning. The southpaw lasted 2.0 innings and gave up
three hits.
Adam Bullard gave up a run in the third inning, and Devin Campbell
was roughed up for six hits and three earned runs in the fourth
– as Western staked itself to a commanding 7-0 lead. Brett
Stackhouse worked 2.0 innings of relief with just one run allowed,
and submariner Michael Lewis worked two shutout frames to keep
Western in check after they built their 8-0 margin.
Gardner-Webb continues its trek to secure a berth in the six-team
Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament, heading to Kennesaw State for a
three-game series that begins on Friday night.
