DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central pushed the winning run across in the 10th inning Tuesday to drop Gardner-Webb, 3-2, at historic Durham Athletic Park.
Trevor Theissen led off the bottom of the 10th with a bunt single, and scampered all the way to third base on a two-base fielding error. Cory Williamson followed with an RBI fielder's choice to win the game.
Gardner-Webb (10-6) lost its fifth game in a row and couldn't get its offense on track. The 'Dogs managed only six hits and did not earn a walk in the game. After tying the game in the seventh, GWU had just one hit over the final three innings.
North Carolina Central (5-8) got a solo home run in the third inning from Kory Wood to break a scoreless tie and pushed its lead to 2-0 in the fifth on a two-out, RBI single by Eric Kimber.
The Runnin' Bulldogs finally got on the board with two outs in the seventh, taking advantage of an Eagles' error that allowed Tyler Best to reach. Patrick Graham made the miscue costly for NC Central, belting a pinch-hit, two-run bomb out of the park to tie the score.
The Eagles appeared to have momentum in the bottom of the ninth, when Troy Marrow was plunked to lead off the bottom of the inning. The hosts loaded the bases with one out in the inning, but senior second baseman Scott Johnson made a spectacular dive and stab of a hard ground ball, flipping to Ryan Hodge for a clutch 4-6-3 double play to send the game to the 10th.
Gardner-Webb went three up-three down in the top half of the 10th, however, setting up Thiessen's heroics.
Ryan Boelter (1-2) took the loss, seeing three batters in the 10th out of the pen. Jeremy Walker fanned four and allowed two runs on five hits over 6.0 innings of work in a no decision start. Wil Sellers pitched well in relief, working 3.0 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit.
Will Canady went 2-for-2 at the plate to pace Gardner-Webb offensively and Graham (1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI) had the big hit for the Runnin' Bulldogs. Hodge (1-for-4), Collin Thacker (1-for-4) and Johnson (1-for-4) also had base knocks for the 'Dogs.
The Eagles had seven hits Tuesday with Wood (2-for-3, HR, RBI) leading the way.
Starter Cameron Scalzo hurled 6.0 shutout innings and fanned five, but was served a no decision. Andrew Vernon worked 2.0 perfect innings of relief for the victory.
Things don't get any easier for Gardner-Webb, as it travels just down 15-501 on Wednesday to face No. 11 North Carolina. First pitch is slated for 3:00 pm at Boshamer Stadium.
