Runnin' Bulldogs Lose, 7-6, In Conclusion of Suspended Game
May 19, 2012 | Baseball
Gardner-Webb (29-26, 11-12 Big South) led 4-0 when play was suspended at 6:30 pm yesterday, and scored two more runs when play resumed in the top of the eighth Saturday at 1:00. Zeke Blanton drew a bases loaded walk and Adam McFarland pushed the lead to 6-0 with an RBI groundout.
Reliever Matt Leidberg came on to get through the host Bulldogs in the bottom of the eighth, using a 5-4-3 double play to erase the hosts' lone base runner.
After GWU went quietly in the top of the ninth, things got dicey, as Leidberg walked Sam Turner to lead off the inning. Pinch hitter Andrew Kirkland roped an RBI double into the gap in left center for the Bulldogs' first run, and Eli Miller followed with an RBI single to trim the lead to 6-2.
Gardner-Webb called on closer Adam Izokovic to stem the tide, but Asheville took advantage of its momentum to make a move. Jordan Lurie singled to get two men on board and, after Izokovic fanned Thomas Bess for the first out, Billy Creighton walked to load the bases. Patrick Koontz followed with a two-run single to cut the lead to 6-4, and an error on a fielder's choice ground ball allowed Creighton to score to trim the lead to 6-5.
Mitch Warner then got the call from the pen, but was greeted with an RBI single to tie the game. After a walk loaded the bases, a wild pitch allowed Cody Adkins to race home for the winning run and cap a deflating loss for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
UNC Asheville (25-27, 12-11 Big South) had been 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position heading into the ninth inning.
The two teams will now play the series' rubber match following UNC Asheville's senior day activities between games.
| Box Score (PDF) |
