Diamond 'Dogs Win Finale, 5-4, With 10th Inning Hit
May 16, 2010 | Baseball
FOREST CITY, N.C. - Adam McFarland's RBI single in the bottom of the 10th plated pinch runner Stefon Morris to give Gardner-Webb a 5-4 win over Radford in the final game of a three-game league series.
The win avenged a pair of one-run losses in the series for Gardner-Webb (23-27, 9-15 Big South) and kept the 'Dogs in good shape for a berth in the upcoming Big South Conference Tournament.
Gardner-Webb came from behind in the eighth to go up 4-3, getting a two-out, two-run single from John Harris to take the lead. Radford (28-22, 15-9 Big South) would respond, however, taking advantage of a two-out walk to leadoff man Ty Rivers in the top of the ninth. Rivers promptly stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored to tie the game on a sharp single to left by Reggie Keen.
With a pair of left-handed bats due up, Gardner-Webb went to Friday's starter, Brett Stackhouse, to get out of the jam. The junior southpaw responded, getting a key strikeout of cleanup hitter Raphael Turner to end the inning with the game still tied.
Radford reliever Abram Williams mowed down the 'Dogs in the bottom of the ninth, but Stackhouse was sharp again in the top of the 10th - fanning a pair of Highlanders to give his team one final chance to win the game.
Aaron Miller legged out an infield single, Kurt Fulginiti then reached on a fielder's choice - after his sacrifice bunt attempt was thrown away trying to punch out the lead runner at second. Another bunt attempt saw Miller cut down at third base and - with McFarland coming to the dish - Morris was inserted as a pinch runner for Fulginiti at second.
McFarland took the first pitch he saw for a ball, then laced a hard line drive into center field to score Morris for the game winner.
Stackhouse (2-3) earned the win in relief, working 1.1 innings with three strikeouts, but the work of freshman righty Michael Hanzlik out of the pen in long relief played an extremely important role in the victory.
Hanzlik went 5.1 innings in relief, fanning three and allowing just one earned run on three hits. Conner Scarboroughallowed just two runs on three hits in the start, going 3.1 innings.
Gardner-Webb had seven hits, with Miller (2-for-5) and Fulginiti (2-for-4) leading the way. McFarland drove in a pair of runs in the game, going 1-for-4 with an RBI groundout and his game-winning hit.
Radford closer Jason Patten (5-3) took the loss, after saving the first two games of the series. Highlander starter Bobby Bolling went 5.2 innings and allowed just one run on three hits.
Matt Hillsinger (2-for-4) and Alex Guerra (2-for-5) led Radford's seven-hit offensive effort.
Saturday's nightcap was delayed until 7:45 due to lightning and rain in the Forest City area.
Gardner-Webb will travel to Furman on Wednesday for its final non-conference tilt of the season. GWU will then trek to Asheville for a key series against UNC Asheville beginning on Thursday afternoon.
| Box Score (PDF) |
