Diamond 'Dogs Rally Falls Short Sunday In 5-2 Loss At Campbell
May 04, 2014 | Baseball
Gardner-Webb (20-26, 10-13 Big South) took an early lead for the second day in a row, with Ryan Hodge crossing the plate in the second for a 1-0 lead.
Campbell (31-15, 14-7 Big South) used three hits tie the game in the bottom half of the second, getting an RBI double from Elijah Trail.
Three more hits from the Camels pushed them into the lead for good in the third, with Steven Leonard's RBI groundout driving home John Reilly for a 2-1 advantage. Campbell plated three runs in the fourth to press further in front, with Danny Pardo's two-run double a major blow.
Gardner-Webb would not go away quietly, attempting another ninth-inning rally.
The Runnin' Bulldogs got Hodge on via an error to lead off the ninth and Scott Johnson followed with a single to chase starter Ryan Koopman from the game. Closer Ryan Thompson rolled a ground ball on a full-count pitch to Will Canady, but Hodge would score to trim the lead to 5-2 with one away.
Alex Newman followed with a single through the right side, and he and pinch runner Evan Hyett pulled off a double steal with two outs. Thompson was able to record the save this time, however, getting a pop fly to third base to end the game.
Koopman (7-1) picked up the win after allowing just two unearned runs in 8.0 innings of work. He scattered six hits, walked three and struck out two. Thompson's save was his 12th of the season.
Campbell had 11 hits Sunday, getting a 3-for-4 effort from Pardo to lead the way.
Erik Heiligenstadt (3-6) took the mound loss for GWU, allowing five runs on 10 hits in just 3.2 innings pitched (three strikeouts). Brad Haymes came on to hurl 4.1 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit to keep Gardner-Webb within striking distance.
Newman (2-for-3) and Matt Simmons (2-for-3, 2B) paced Gardner-Webb's seven-hit attack offensively.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will break for exams before returning to action on Thursday, May 8, to host William & Mary in the first of a three-game, non-conference series. First pitch is set for 6:00 pm.
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