Gardner-Webb University
Holy Cross
DIamond 'Dogs Rally Past Holy Cross, 5-4, For 10th Win In A Row
March 03, 2015 | Baseball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat Holy Cross, 5-4, and extend its win streak to 10 games.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (10-1) won their fifth one-run contest in the process.
After Holy Cross (1-9) rallied to take the lead with a three-run ninth, Scott Johnson legged out a one-out, infield single in the bottom half of the ninth to spark Gardner-Webb's rally.
Pinch runner Taylor Fisher easily swiped second base to get the tying run into scoring position and Henry Rundio coaxed a walk to get the winning run on board. The Crusaders went to the pen and right hander Sean Gustin plunked Ryan Hodge to load the bases – then disaster struck for the visitors. A passed ball allowed Fisher to trot home for the equalizer, the a wild pitch allowed Rundio to dart home to win the game.
Holy Cross used the long ball to tie the game in the top half. A one-out walk by reliever Beau Hilton was costly, as Cam O'Neill stroked a 2-1 fastball over the fence in left to even the game at 3-3 in the ensuing at bat. Bill Schlich stepped in next and ripped a triple into right field. Schlich raced home on a perfect squeeze bunt by Bobby Indeglia for a 4-3 lead – the first of the game for Holy Cross.
Andrew Massey got out of the inning and Gardner-Webb made its case for the win in the bottom half.
The Runnin' Bulldogs seized a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Patrick Graham drove home Matt Simmons with an RBI single. Simmons doubled to center with one out in the frame and moved to third on a wild pitch.
Holy Cross tied the game in the sixth, getting a leadoff single from Indeglia and an infield hit from leadoff man Evan Ocello. A sacrifice bunt moved both into scoring position and a walk from starter Brad Haymes loaded the bases.
Reliever Mitch Warner came on, but walked the tying run home on a 3-2 pitch, as Anthony Critelli worked a lengthy 10-pitch at bat. Warner recovered with a strikeout and ended the inning with a fly ball.
Gardner-Webb countered with a pair in the bottom of the sixth when Collin Thacker earned a leadoff walk and Sam Fulginiti singled to right. Tyler Best was plunked to load the bases and Jacob Walker drove home Thacker with a fielder's choice grounder. Walker stole second and Simmons gave Gardner-Webb a 3-1 lead with a deep sacrifice fly to left. Relief man Collin Manning came on to put out the fire – and would silence the GWU bats until the ninth inning.
Massey (1-0) picked up the relief win for Gardner-Webb, working 0.2 innings without allowing a hit. Haymes fanned six in 5.1 innings of a no decision , scattering three hits but walking three men in his second start of the season – and first since February 14.
Gardner-Webb had eight hits, with six different men collecting one each. Johnson (2-for-4) had multiple knocks for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Holy Cross managed just five hits in the game, but drew seven walks – an uncharacteristic mark for a Gardner-Webb pitching staff that ranked in the top-10 nationally through 10 games in strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Five different Crusaders had hits Tuesday, with O'Neil (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) providing the most damaging blow.
Manning (0-2) took the hard-luck decision in relief, despite hurling 2.2 innings and allowing just two hits. He walked two and allowed two runs – with both of those crossing in the ninth. Justin Finan worked 5.2 innings and scattered six hits with three runs allowed in a no decision start.
The two teams will play again on Wednesday afternoon at 5:00 in John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field. The game will air live on The Big South Network (bigsouthsports.com). Click on GWUSports.com for up to date weather and scheduling information.
