Diamond 'Dogs Fall, 2-1, In Series Opener at Presbyterian
May 16, 2014 | Baseball
CLINTON, S.C. - Gardner-Webb dropped a 2-1 decision at Presbyterian Friday afternoon in the first game of a very important Big South Conference doubleheader.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (23-28, 10-14 Big South) and Blue Hose (18-33-1, 8-17 Big South) will play the second game beginning at 3:00.
Gardner-Webb found itself on the wrong end of a no-hit bid after eight innings, as Presbyterian starter Chandler Knox chewed up the GWU bats until Ryan Hodge got the first hit of the day with a single up the middle - with one out in the ninth inning.
Knox recorded the second out with a fly ball, before Matt Simmons came through with an RBI double to left to cut the Blue Hose lead to 2-1. Knox finished the game with a fly ball to strand pinch runner Taylor Fisher at second base.
Presbyterian scored two runs in the fifth for its only production of the day in the scoring column. An infield single by Cam McRae started the rally, and RBI singles from Glen Casaceli and Derek Long pushed the Blue Hose in front 2-0 before Gardner-Webb ace Matt Fraudin could get out of the jam.
Knox (7-7) struck out six, issued one walk and hit two batters as part of his complete-game, two-hit effort on the mound.
The Blue Hose had eight hits - all singles - in the win. Jay Lizanich (2-for-4), Casaceli (2-for-3, run, RBI) and Long (2-for-3, RBI) accounted for all but two of those base knocks.
Fraudin (4-6) went the distance for the second week in a row, but lost another tough one in a stellar effort. He fanned eight, did not issue a walk and scattered eight singles. It is the seventh time this season the junior right-hander had gone at least 8.0 innings in a start.
Hodge (1-for-3, run) and Simmons (1-for-4, 2B, RBI) had the pair of hits for the Runnin' Bulldogs. Hodge was also hit by a pitch.
