BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb scored four runs in the fourth and got strong pitching once again to top UNC Asheville, 4-1, Friday night at John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (16-10, 5-2 Big South) won their third in a row and their third Friday night Big South game in the league season's first three weeks.
Erik Heiligenstadt was strong again on the mound, working 6.0 innings and allowing just one run on four hits – all singles – with eight strikeouts (two walks).
Emerging relief ace Brad Haymes continued his fine work on the week, hurling 3.0 shutout frames for the save. The Tightsqueeze, Va., native recorded seven strikeouts in 10 at bats and allowed just one hit for his second save of the week. He struck out four batters in a row before allowing a walk to lead off the ninth – but recovered to strike out two more batters to end the game.
The Runnin' Bulldogs got all the offense they would need in the fourth inning. J.D. Huggins nearly left the yard, but his deep drive to right field was just foul. The Tallahassee, Fla., freshman followed with a two-strike, opposite field single to lead off the rally and raced to third base on a first-pitch double deep to left center by Jacob Walker.
A groundout left both men where they were, but Scott Johnson singled to center field to drive in Huggins and Walker scored when the ball scooted under the outfielder's glove. Johnson sprinted all the way to third on the error and Gardner-Webb led 2-0.
Henry Rundio worked a four-pitch walk to put runners on the corners and stole second to ramp up the momentum. Tyler Best then delivered a two-run single through a drawn-in infield for a 4-0 lead. UNC Asheville starter Corey Randall worked out of the jam, but the damage was done.
The visiting Bulldogs finally scratched in the sixth, getting a leadoff bunt single from Joe Tietjen and a throwing error on the play that allowed Tietjen to trot into second. Heiligenstadt recovered to fan Lucas Owens on three pitches and got a nice play in foul territory by Patrick Graham to retire Kyle Towles for the second out. Cleanup man Hunter Bryant coaxed a walk, however, and Tommy Houmard laced an RBI single to right to trim the lead to 4-1.
Heiligenstadt (3-1), who crossed the 100-pitch mark in the inning, came back with a strikeout to end the rally before it gained steam. Haymes came on in the seventh to complete a strong day for the pitching staff.
Gardner-Webb managed seven hits Friday night, with Best (2-for-4, 2 RBI) leading the way. Ryan Hodge (1-for-3), Graham (1-for-4), Huggins (1-for-3, run), Walker (1-for-4, 2B, run) and Johnson (1-for-2, RBI) also collected safeties for the 'Dogs.
Randall (1-5) took the loss for UNC Asheville, allowing four runs on seven hits in 6.0 innings pitched. He fanned six and walked three in the start. Ryan Tapp and Adam Spracklin each tossed a scoreless inning of relief to keep the Bulldogs close.
UNC Asheville had five hits and were led at the plate by leadoff man Tietjen, who finished 2-for-5 with a run scored and a stolen base.
Both teams will be back in action Saturday, with first pitch set for 2:00 pm from John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field. The game will air live on The Big South Network (bigsouthsports.com), with Fabian Fuentes on the call.
