Diamond 'Dogs Walk Off With 7-6 Win Over Coastal Carolina Friday
April 25, 2014 | Baseball
BOILING SPRINGS - Jacob Walker's two-run double in the ninth capped a major rally that lifted Gardner-Webb to a 7-6 comeback win over Coastal Carolina Friday night.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (18-22, 8-10 Big South) trailed 6-0 after seven innings and 6-2 heading into the ninth against the South Division-leading Chanticleers (21-22, 11-8 Big South).
Coastal Carolina reliever Brock Hunter struck out the first batter he faced in the ninth for a solid start to the frame, but allowed a double to Scott Johnson and a hard single to Ryan Hodge to put men on the corners.
The Chanticleers lifted Hunter in favor of relief ace Andrew Beckwith, but Henry Rundio greeted the freshman with a high chopper off the dirt at third that just got over Zach Remillard's glove for an RBI single to cut the lead to 6-3.
A fielder's choice and error at third on a bunt by Taylor Fisher loaded the bases with one out, and Hunter Smith belted a two-run single to right to drive home Hodge and Rundio for make the score 6-5 and lift spirits to a fever pitch in the Gardner-Webb dugout.
JJ Nazzaro walked on five pitches to load the bases again, setting the stage for Walker's big hit. The sophomore outfielder got behind 0-2 after a pair of Beckwith sliders, but took a pitch and hit a 1-2 slider that caught too much of the plate the other way - getting past the Chants' outfield all the way to the fence. That knock drove home Fisher and pinch-runner Evan Hyett to win the game.
Coastal Carolina had complete control of the game after plating three runs in the third, two more in the fifth and what appeared to be an insurance run in the seventh.
The Chanticleers took advantage of an error in the third inning to jump out front for good, with a walk to Colin Hering leading off the frame. An error on a fielder's choice with one out allowed Connor Owings to reach and Hering to move to second - and Michael Paez rapped a pitch through the left side to load the bases.
Tyler Chadwick drove in the first run of the game with a single right, and Jake Kane roped a two-out single to center to drive in Owings and Paez for a 3-0 lead. Gardner-Webb starter Matt Fraudin got the 'Dogs back to the dugout with his third strikeout of the inning, stranding two men on base.
Coastal appeared to put the game away in the fifth, getting an infield single from Owings to lead off the inning and - after a wild pitch and sacrifice bunt - Owings trotted home on another wild pitch for a 4-0 lead. Chadwick followed with a solo home run to right for a 5-0 margin before the Runnin' Bulldogs could get out of the inning.
The Chants plated an unearned run on a sacrifice fly in the seventh to extend the lead to 6-0.
Gardner-Webb finally got something going offensively in the eighth, with pinch hitter Fisher reaching to lead off the inning when he was plunked. Fisher stole second moments later, and Smith belted a double into the left field corner for Gardner-Webb's first run of the game.
Smith moved to third on a groundout, and scored on pinch hitter Jacob Walker's RBI knock to right for a 6-2 score. A double play ended the rally abruptly, however, pushing Gardner-Webb's rally back another inning.
Jeremy Walker (3-0) picked up a relief win, hurling 2.0 scoreless innings. The younger brother of Jacob Walker did not allow a hit and retired all six batters he faced in order to keep the Chanticleers within striking distance.
Gardner-Webb had seven of its 11 hits in the game in the final two innings. Walker (2-for-2, 2B, 3 RBI), Johnson (2-for-4, 2B, run), Hodge (2-for-4, run) and Smith (2-for-3, 2B, 3 RBI) each had big games for the Runnin' Bulldogs at the dish - with Walker and Smith driving in six of GWU's runs in the late innings.
Rundio (1-for-4, run), Matt Simmons (1-for-4) and Tyler Best (1-for-3) also had hits for Gardner-Webb.
Beckwith (3-2) was saddled with the loss in relief for Coastal, allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits in the ninth.
Tyler Herb was sensational in a quality start, hurling 8.0 innings, allowing just two runs - both in the eighth - and just six hits. The senior righty fanned eight and walked just one Friday night.
Coastal had seven hits in the game, with Chadwick (3-for-5, HR, 2 runs, 2 RBI) leading the way. Kane (2-for-4, 2 RBI) also had a pair of base hits.
The two teams will play again Saturday afternoon at 2:00 in John Henry Moss Stadium / Bill Masters Field. The game will air live on the Big South Network, with Fabian Fuentes calling the action.
Saturday will be "Salute the Troops Day" at Gardner-Webb, with all veterans and military personnel receiving free admission to the ballpark. The first 100 people in attendance will receive a free coupon from Zaxby's.
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