'Dogs Lose Series Finale, 6-2, At Longwood Sunday
April 21, 2013 | Baseball
The Runnin' Bulldogs (20-19-1, 7-8 Big South) have lost five in a row and six of their last seven games.
Unlike the first two games of the series, when Longwood (20-21, 10-8 Big South) had to rally late to win a pair of one-run games, the Lancers jumped on top quickly and never trailed. The home team scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the first, getting a sacrifice fly and an RBI single for the early advantage.
Gardner-Webb fought back for a run in the second, getting a leadoff single from Scott Coleman walks to Brad Collins and John Harris to load the bases with nobody out. A strikeout slowed the rally, but Scott Johnson delivered a sacrifice fly to trim the lead to 2-1 before Longwood could get out of the inning.
Coleman led off the fourth with a single, moved to second on a throwing error and later scored on a Harris RBI single to tie the game.
Longwood wasted no time going back in front for good, taking advantage of an error, a bunt and a wild pitch to get the go ahead run to third with one out in the bottom of the fourth. An RBI knock from C.J. Roth made the score 3-2 and, after Roth stole second, Matt Dickason delivered another RBI hit for a 4-2 lead.
The Lancers tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the seventh for the final margin.
Erik Heiligenstadt (4-3) went 7.0 innings on the mound for Gardner-Webb, scattering 10 hits and six runs (four earned) with five strikeouts. Brock Wilson hurled a scoreless eighth for the 'Dogs.
Coleman (2-for-4, 2 runs) had a pair of Gardner-Webb's seven hits in the game, and scored both runs.
Longwood closer Aaron Myers came back after recording a save Friday to start on Sunday, hurling 8.0 innings and allowing just two runs (one earned) on five hits. He fanned three and walked a pair.
Dickason went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI to pace the Lancers' offense. Scott Burkett and Kyri Washington each had two hits and two runs driven in for the hosts.
Gardner-Webb will play a neutral site game on Tuesday, as No. 8 South Carolina takes on the Runnin' Bulldogs at Keeter Stadium at Veterans Field in Shelby, N.C. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling Champion Communications at (704) 466-3103 or by visiting http://www.americanlegionworldseries.com/tickets/ online.
General admission seats are $5.
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