ROCK HILL, S.C. – Winning road games in league play is critical to making a rise up the standings, and Gardner-Webb picked up another in that key category with Sunday's 2-1 win at Winthrop.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (14-10, 4-2 Big South) have now taken two of three in each of their first two league series, with both coming on the road – at an improved Presbyterian squad and at perennial Big South contender Winthrop.
In Sunday's rubber match, Gardner-Webb and Winthrop (15-10, 1-2 Big South) each scored a run in the first inning before the pitching staffs and defense took over.
Ryan Hodge was plunked with one out in the top of the first and moved into scoring position when Collin Thacker was walked on eight pitches. Slugger Sam Fulginiti continued his clutch work in the middle of the order, driving a single to center to plate Hodge for the lead. GWU loaded the bases when Jacob Walker drew another walk, but a 6-4-3 double play ended the rally early.
Winthrop got a pair of hits to start their half of the first, with Tyler Asbill poking a single to left and Babe Thomas belting a double to right. A fly ball from Anthony Paulsen to center was dropped on the next play, allowing Asbill to score from third on a non-traditional sacrifice fly.
Gardner-Webb starter Mitch Warner, making just his second career start, recovered quickly, rolling three consecutive ground balls – one to first base and two back to himself – to end the inning.
Neither team threatened in the second or third innings and Gardner-Webb plated the eventual winning run in the fourth with two outs.
Scott Johnson fought hard in an outstanding at bat, fouling off three pitches after falling behind 0-2 in the count and eventually coaxing a 10-pitch walk. That effort paid off in the next at bat, when Henry Rundio scorched a double to centerfield, driving home Johnson for a 2-1 lead.
Winthrop managed an infield single in the bottom of the fourth with one out, but Warner didn't let that safety advance, striking out the next batter and getting another ground ball to end the inning.
Winthrop had its best chance to pull even, or go ahead, with two outs in the sixth. The Eagles collected three consecutive singles to load the bases and forced Gardner-Webb to make a call to the bullpen. Reliever Brad Haymes avoided disaster moments later when a pitch got away at the plate – covering well as Thacker cut down Roger Gonzalez to end the inning when he attempted to score from third.
The Eagles would not make much of a push from there, as Haymes fanned three batters over the next two innings to retire Winthrop in order.
When the Eagles got a leadoff single in the ninth from Gonzalez and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, Gardner-Webb called on freshman relief ace Bradley Hallman to shut things down. The former Southlake Christian (N.C.) Academy standout did just that, rolling a timely ground ball to second base and striking out Mitch Spires to end the game.
Warner (2-1) picked up the win, hurling 5.2 strong innings, scattering seven hits and allowing just one run with three strikeouts and no walks. He rolled an exceptional 11 ground balls outs in his outing and needed just 69 pitches to earn the win.
Haymes' 2.2 innings of scoreless relief included three strikeouts and Hallman recorded his second save of the weekend with 0.2 scoreless in the ninth. The GWU trio did not issue any free passes and kept the ball on the ground, recording 14 ground ball outs – and only five in the air.
The Runnin' Bulldogs needed only five hits to get the win, with Sam Fulginiti (2-for-4, RBI) and Paul Trick (2-for-4) joined by Rundio (1-for-4, 2B, RBI) in the that column. Trick added a stolen base.
Winthrop's Matt Crohan (2-2) took the loss, scattering four hits and allowing two runs in 5.0 innings of work. He fanned six, but walked four batters. Michael Green tossed 4.0 scoreless out of the bullpen to keep the Eagles within striking distance.
The Eagles managed eight hits, but had only one go for extra bases. Gonzalez (3-for-4) was the lone Winthrop batter with multiple hits.
Gardner-Webb will travel to Furman on Wednesday, March 25, for a 6:00 pm first pitch. GWU returns home this weekend, hosting UNC Asheville in another important three-game Big South series – beginning Friday night at John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field. First pitch is set for 6:00 pm.
