Gardner-Webb Falls, 9-2, At USC Upstate Wednesday Night
April 25, 2013 | Baseball
Gardner-Webb (21-20-1) took a 1-0 lead on a Benji Jackson RBI single with two outs in the top of the third, but the Spartans (24-19) responded with three runs in the bottom half to take the lead for good.
Upstate took advantage of three walks and an infield single in the inning, and got a key, two-run single from Trey Richardson with two outs to go up 3-1.
A hit batter in the fifth loaded the bases for the Spartans with two outs, and the Gaither Bumgardner worked a full count. A fielding error on the next pitch proved costly, as all three runners on base came around to score for a 6-1 advantage.
Scott Coleman reached on an error to lead off the sixth for Gardner-Webb, stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch to give the Runnin' Bulldogs some life. Brantley Smith drew a walk with one out to put men on the corners, and Ryan Hodge followed with an RBI single to left to trim Upstate's lead to 6-2.
The Spartans put the game away in the bottom of the eighth, getting four consecutive hits to start the frame, including a pair of RBI knocks. A sacrifice fly closed out the scoring.
Gardner-Webb starter Beau Hilton (2-1) took the mound loss, allowing three runs on two hits and five walks in 2.1 innings of work. Jeff Howell (1.2 IP), Conner Scarborough (1.0 IP) and Stephen Gilmore (1.0 IP) each had scoreless appearances out of the bullpen.
The Runnin' Bulldogs collected nine hits in the game, with Scott Johnson (2-for-4), Benji Jackson (2-for-4, RBI) and Scott Coleman (2-for-4, SB) combining for six of those safeties. Henry Rundio, Brad Collins and Hodge (1-for-4, RBI) had the other hits for Gardner-Webb.
Upstate starter Chris Cox picked up the win, allowing just two runs on six hits through 6.0 innings (six strikeouts, two walks). Three relievers combined to finish the game without allowing another run to cross.
The Spartans had 12 hits. Luke Weber and Richardson each had three hits to lead the way.
Gardner-Webb will host UNC Asheville in a key, three-game Big South Conference series beginning on Friday night at John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field.
First pitch Friday is set for 6:00 pm, with the game set to air live on ESPN3 (WatchESPN.com) and WGWG-FM (88.3 / wgwg.org). Matt Hogue and Nate Ross will call the game on ESPN3, and Fabian Fuentes will provide the call on WGWG.
