GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Gardner-Webb rapped out 17 hits and scored a season-high 17 runs Tuesday night to outslug North Carolina A&T, 17-9, in a wild offensive showcase at War Memorial Stadium.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (17-12) fell behind 4-1 after three innings, but plated six runs in the fourth to take control of the game.
Henry Rundio was plunked to lead off the inning and promptly stole second. Will Canady walked and Matt Simmons hit the first pitch he saw through the right side to cut A&T's lead to 4-2. Patrick Graham followed with a single to left that scored Canady and Ryan Hodge doubled to left to drive in Graham and Simmons to give Gardner-Webb a 5-4 lead.
J.D. Huggins capped the rally with a two-run home run to left center, giving Gardner-Webb a lead it would not give up.
The Aggies (3-22) plated a pair of runs in the sixth to trim the lead to 7-6, but a four-run burst by Gardner-Webb in the sixth inning gave the 'Dogs a comfortable lead.
Tyler Best led off the frame with a walk, then Hodge singled through the right side, and both advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. Best scored two pitches later on another wild pitch and Huggins drove in Hodge with a groundout for a 9-6 advantage.
Scott Johnson legged out an infield single and Rundio belted his third home run of the season, a two-run shot to left, for an 11-6 lead.
After North Carolina A&T cut the lead to 11-7, Gardner-Webb responded with a five-run rally in the eighth to put the game out of reach. GWU scored all five runs with two outs.
Rundio outran a single to shortstop, then stole second. Canady drove him home with an RBI single to center, then Simmons doubled in Canady with a hit to right. Patrick Graham was hit by a pitch, then leadoff man Best singled home Simmons for a 14-7 margin. Hodge followed with a two-run triple that pushed the lead to 16-7.
Taylor Fisher singled in the ninth and scored on a wild pitch for Gardner-Webb's final run.
Jeremy Walker (1-1) picked up the win on a pitch count, working 3.0 innings and allowing three earned runs in 3.0 innings of work (61 pitches). GWU used six relief pitchers, with Wil Sellers hurling 3.2 innings and allowing only one run on three hits.
Gardner-Webb had 11 different players collect hits Tuesday, with Hodge (4-for-6, 2 runs, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI) pacing the outburst. Simmons (3-for-6, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Rundio (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 SB) also had a pair of hits. Huggins (1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI) hit the first long ball of his career.
North Carolina A&T had 14 hits in the game, with five different players collecting two hits each to lead the way.
Gardner-Webb will turn its attention back to Big South play next, hosting Radford in a critical three-game series. The opening game is set for Thursday, April 2, at 6:00 pm from John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field.
