BOILING SPRINGS – Ryan Hodge's RBI single with two outs the eighth pushed across the go-ahead run and Ryan Boelter noticed his second save to lift Gardner-Webb to an 8-7 win over Valparaiso Sunday afternoon.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (9-1) won their ninth game in a row and earned a series sweep of the Crusaders (0-6).
Gardner-Webb led 5-0 after the second inning, getting two-run knocks from Sam Fulginiti and Jacob Walker in the bottom of the first to spark an early surge. Henry Rundio doubled home Blair Huggins in the second inning for what appeared to be a comfortable working margin on a cold, misty day at John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field.
Valparaiso took advantage of some uncharacteristic defensive miscues and timely hitting in the fourth to rally into the lead. Josh Clark led off the fourth with a double to right, finishing a seven-pitch at bat with a nice swing. He moved to third on a single by Chad Jacob and scored on a fielder's choice by Jeff Edwards. Gardner-Webb had a golden chance at a double play on that sequence, but the ball sailed high to first base.
Mark Johnson stepped in and popped a ball up to left field, but the chance was dropped for an error – allowing Edwards to move all the way to third and Johnson to second. A walk to Spencer Mahoney loaded the sacks and chased Gardner-Webb starter Jeremy Walker from the game.
Freshman reliever Landon Letchworth came on, but his first pitch was met by Nolan Lodden for a grand slam – a slicing line drive that nicked the top of the left field fence before leaving the yard. Valpo wasn't finished, getting an infield single from Nate Palace and a two-out double from Dustin Beasley to take a 6-5 lead. Letchworth worked out of the jam with a ground ball.
Gardner-Webb wasted no time re-taking the lead. Scott Johnson led off the bottom of the fourth with a walk and moved to second when a sacrifice bunt chance by Huggins was thrown high trying to cut down Johnson. Rundio tied the game with a clutch double to left and Ryan Hodge plated Huggins with a deep sacrifice fly to give Gardner-Webb a 7-6 advantage.
The Crusaders tied the score in the seventh without benefit of a hit. Johnson walked with one out, stole second and moved to third on a grounder. He dashed home and slid under the tag on a wild pitch. Relief man Beau Hilton fanned Lodden to end the frame.
Huggins started a two-out rally in the eighth, blooping a single into shallow right field. Pinch runner Evan Hyett moved into scoring position when Rundio was plunked and Hodge laced a 2-1 pitch up the middle for the game winner.
Boelter came on in the ninth and got a fine defensive play from Best in left field for the first out. He coaxed a pop fly to third base and then rolled an easy ground ball to end the game.
Bradley Hallman (2-0) worked an inning of one-hit relief for the victory, fanning one batter. Will Sellers also tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in another solid middle relief outing.
Walker was sharp early, fanning five Valpo batters in the first two innings, but allowed three earned runs on six hits in 3.1 innings of a no decision start.
Gardner-Webb managed 11 hits on a balanced offensive day, getting two each from Rundio (2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Hodge (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Fulginiti (2-for-3, 2 RBI), Walker (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Huggins (2-for-3, 2 runs).
Valparaiso reliever Ben Mahar (0-1) took the loss, allowing one run on two hits in 2.0 innings of work. Starter Mario Losi lasted 3.0 innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs with two strikeouts.
The Crusaders out-hit the 'Dogs Sunday, totaling 12 knocks. Palace went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles and Jacob (3-for-5) had three hits. Daniel Delaney (2-for-4, walk) also had a strong day at the plate for Valpo.
Gardner-Webb will be back in action at home Tuesday, hosting Holy Cross at 5:00 pm. The game is scheduled to air live on The Big South Network (bigsouthsports.com). Please visit GWUSports.com for up to date schedule information as it relates to potential wet weather all week.
