BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb scored two runs in the seventh and three more in the eighth to rally for a 5-1 win over visiting Valparaiso Friday at John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field.
It was the seventh win in a row for the Runnin' Bulldogs (7-1), who have allowed two runs or less in six of their last seven games (four in a row).
Valparaiso (0-4) surged in front with a productive third inning, getting a one-out single from Mark Johnson, a walk and an RBI knock from Josh Clark for a 1-0 lead on Gardner-Webb starter Erik Heiligenstadt.
Heiligenstadt, a redshirt senior, buckled down in the fourth and fifth, allowing just one hit to keep the Crusaders within striking distance. Freshman Bradley Hallman came on to relieve the veteran southpaw in the sixth and recovered nicely after allowing a leadoff double to Nate Palace.
Hallman fielded a ground ball for an easy out himself in the next at bat and followed with two strikeouts – one swinging, one looking – to end the inning with Palace standing on third base. He fanned two more batters in a perfect seventh and his offense came through with the tying and go-ahead runs after the stretch.
Valparaiso starter Dalton Lundeen, the 2015 Horizon League preseason Pitcher of the Year and No. 5 draft prospect on the circuit, cruised through his first 6.1 innings – fanning 10 batters and allowing just two hits with no walks.
The spectacular southpaw made a mistake on a 1-0 pitch to Sam Fulginiti in the seventh, and the GWU first baseman ripped a double off the base of the wall in left center to start a rally. Pinch runner Tyler Best scored on a looping single by Patrick Graham to tie the game one batter later and was lifted for speedy pinch runner Taylor Fisher.
Fisher – who scored Sunday's game winner against Cornell on a failed pickoff attempt at first base – swiped second base quickly during Jacob Walker's plate appearance. Walker coaxed a full count, then a walk and Fisher forced a defensive miscue once again, stealing third and dashing home with the throw down sailed into left field.
Lundeen exited in favor of sidearm righty Bryce Yoder, who was greeted by Matt Simmons' hard single into right center. A fielding miscue allowed Walker and Simmons both to trot into scoring position, but Yoder worked himself out of the jam and kept the deficit at one run with a shallow pop up and a strikeout to end the inning.
Reliever Beau Hilton came on for Gardner-Webb in the eighth and sandwiched a pair of strikeouts around a pop up to the catcher to keep the lead intact.
The Runnin' Bulldogs extended the lead comfortably with a three-run burst in the eighth. Speedster Ryan Hodge reached on an infield hit with one out and promptly stole both second and third base. Collin Thacker singled him home through a tight infield for a 3-1 lead. Best followed with a single to right and Walker delivered a decisive blow with two outs – belting a two-run double to right center for what would be the final margin.
Hilton stayed on for the save, fanning two more batters to end the game.
Hallman (1-0) earned the relief win, fanning four batters and allowing just one hit in 2.0 scoreless frames. Hilton was perfect in his two innings pitched, also fanning four batters. Heiligenstadt scattered five hits – all singles – and struck out one in 5.0 innings of a solid no decision start.
Gardner-Webb had nine hits in the game – with seven coming in its final two at bats. Walker (2-for-3, 2 2B, 2 RBI) and Thacker (2-for-4, RBI) paced that offensive effort. GWU was also effective on the paths, stealing four bases in four chances.
Valparaiso starter Lundeen (0-1) was saddled with an unfortunate loss after a sizzling performance. He allowed two runs on four hits and fanned 10 (one walk) in 6.1 innings of work – his second strong start of the season. Yoder allowed three runs on five hits in 1.1 innings of relief and Luke VanLanen came on to strike out the lone batter he faced.
The Crusaders had five hits in the game, with five different men collecting those safeties. Leadoff man Spencer Mahoney (1-for-3, BB) led off the game with a hard single and reached base twice.
The two teams will play game two of the series on Saturday at 2:00 pm. The game will air live on The Big South Network (bigsouthsports.com), the league's free video service.
