CLINTON, S.C. – Blair Huggins' RBI single in the top of the 14th drove home Paul Trick and Gardner-Webb held on for a 3-2 win over Presbyterian in a grueling Big South Conference affair.
Gardner-Webb (12-8, 2-1 Big South) held an early 1-0 lead in the fourth, but saw Presbyterian (14-6, 1-2 Big South) tie the score on a wild pitch in the bottom of that frame.
Ryan Hodge drove home Matt Simmons in the sixth inning for a 2-1 Gardner-Webb lead, but the Blue Hose again had the equalizer in the bottom half, tying the score on a throwing error.
The Runnin' Bulldogs got a clutch pitching from Brad Haymes early in extra innings. The junior righty stranded two men in scoring position in the 10th and stranded two more in the 11th after a one-out double by Ryan Hedrick put the Blue Hose in business.
Gardner-Webb had a golden opportunity in the 12th when Scott Johnson was plunked leading off the inning, but pinch runner Trick was cut down at third on a ground ball and Matt Simmons was thrown out at the plate after a Ryan Hodge single through the left side. Hodge stole second to put men at second and third with two outs, but Presbyterian worked out of the jam.
The Blue Hose got a leadoff single in the 12th from Jay Lizanich and, after a sacrifice bunt, Gardner-Webb intentionally walked a batter to set up the double play. The steady and often spectacular duo of Johnson and Hodge delivered two pitches later, turning a 6-4-3 double play to send the game to the 13th.
Both teams got one runner on base in the 13th, but could not get anything across, setting up Gardner-Webb's 14th-inning rally.
Trick led off the inning with a single, then moved to second on Simmons' ground out. After a strikeout, Hodge drew a two-out walk and Huggins stepped in with a clutch single up the middle on a 2-1 count for the go-ahead run. Presbyterian reliever Trevor Chock intentionally walked Sam Fulginiti and followed with a strikeout to limit the damage.
Lizanich roped a one-out single in the bottom of the 14th, but freshman righty Bradley Hallman fanned three-hole hitter Brandon Martin for the second out and got a grounder to third to seal the win.
Hallman (3-1) picked up his third relief win of the season, hurling 4.2 scoreless frames and fanning three batters. Haymes went 4.1 innings without allowing a hit or a run, which came on the heels of a fine no-decision start from senior southpaw Mitch Warner.
Warner, making his first career start on the mound, went 5.0 innings, scattered seven hits and allowed just one earned run. The Chambersburg, Pa., native fanned three and walked two.
Gardner-Webb had 11 hits in the game, led by Hodge's solid 3-for-5 day at the plate. The former Butler (N.C.) High standout drove in a run, walked once and stole two bases in the game. Simmons (2-for-6, run) also had a multiple-hit afternoon.
Chock (2-1) took the loss, allowing one run on two hits in 1.0 inning of work. Presbyterian starter Aaron Lesiak was strong, allowing just four hits and two runs in 7.1 innings of work, earning a no decision despite eight strikeouts and no walks. The Blue Hose used five pitchers in the game.
Presbyterian collected 10 hits, with Lizanich picking up nearly half of those safeties in a 4-for-6 afternoon.
Gardner-Webb will have little time to rest, hosting Furman on Tuesday night at John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field. The game will air live on The Big South Network (bigsouthsports.com), with first pitch set for 6:00 pm.
