BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb lost both ends of Saturday's non-conference doubleheader with VMI, as the Keydets rallied late for a 4-3 win in the opener and took a 7-3 win in the nightcap.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (18-22) have lost 12 of their last 14 games and four consecutive weekend series – with 11 of the 12 losses coming by four runs or less (four one-run losses).
GAME ONE (VMI 4, Gardner-Webb 3)
Gardner-Webb opened up a 3-0 lead through four innings, getting a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first from Tyler Best and a two-run bomb from Patrick Graham in the fourth in support of starter Matt Fraudin's strong performance.
VMI (12-21) trimmed into the lead in the sixth when Ray Lopez singled to lead off the inning, stole second and scored on David Geary's two-out single to center. Fraudin recovered with a ground ball to end the inning with the 'Dogs in front 3-1.
The Keydets pulled closer in the seventh, as Will Connerly smashed the first pitch of the inning deep over the fence in left center to make it a one-run game. Fraudin again recovered, striking out the next two batters he faced and getting a shallow infield pop up to preserve the lead.
The Runnin' Bulldogs had chances to add to their cushion, but stranded two runners in both the sixth and seventh innings.
VMI finally put together a rally to go in front in the eighth, touching reliever Bradley Hallman for two runs in the frame. Lopez drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt – but was cut down at third base on a fielder's choice for the second out of the inning.
Geary came through with a clutch hit, however, lacing a two-out double just inside the line in left –scoring Tyler Tharp all the way from first to tie the game. Matt Winn then delivered the go-ahead knock, a sharp single through the left side the plated Geary for a 4-3 advantage.
Southpaw Beau Hilton came on to strike out Collin Fleischer to end the inning, but the Keydets' bullpen would hold steady.
Closer Taylor Edens came on in the eighth and sat the 'Dogs down in order. Hilton matched him in the top of the ninth to keep Gardner-Webb within a run and Edens followed suit in the bottom of the ninth – striking out the first two batters of the inning before Best legged out an infield hit to bring the winning run to the plate.
Winn came up with a strong defensive play to end the game, throwing Best out on a steal attempt at second base to preserve the win.
Hallman (4-2) was tagged with the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in 0.2 innings of work. Fraudin left the game with a narrow lead and took a no decision, despite fanning 10 batters and allowing just two runs in 7.0 innings of solid work. He scattered five hits and walked two.
Gardner-Webb had a game-high 10 hits in the opener, with Best (2-for-5, HR, RBI), Collin Thacker (2-for-4, run), Will Canady (2-for-4) and Blair Huggins (2-for-3) collecting two each.
Andrew Woods (4-1) picked up the win for VMI, pitching around nine hits and allowing three runs in 7.0 innings. He fanned eight and did not issue a walk.
Edens hurled 2.0 scoreless to pick up his eighth save of the season and struck out a pair.
The Keydets had seven hits, with Lopez (2-for-4, run), Geary (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) and Winn (2-for-4, RBI) causing the most damage.
GAME TWO (VMI 7, Gardner-Webb 3)
VMI scored four runs in the second inning and held a 5-0 lead before Gardner-Webb rallied in the sixth to make a game of it. The Keydets added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth to take a 7-3 win.
Collin Fleischer's two-run double and Thomas Stallings' two-run home run in the second set the tone for the Keydets, who added a run on a fielder's choice in the fourth for a 5-0 advantage.
Gardner-Webb would mount a considerable rally, however, plating three runs in the sixth to cut the lead to two.
Collin Thacker led off the inning with a walk and moved up a base when Patrick Graham singled to left center. An RBI double off the fence in right by Jacob Walker cut the lead to 5-1 and – after Brantley Smith was plunked – GWU had the bases loaded with no outs.
Reliever Kyle Staats recovered with a strikeout to slow the rally, but Gage Parham smoked a two-run double down the left field line to drive home Graham and Walker and cut the lead to 5-3. Blair Huggins nearly tied the game, but his line drive was snagged at second base for the second out of the inning.
VMI went to its third pitcher of the inning, and Jack Gomersall got a strikeout to leave the tying runs in scoring position.
Gardner-Webb would not be able to make another push, despite getting a leadoff double from Ryan Hodge to start the seventh. After Thacker walked again to get the tying run on board, VMI closer Taylor Edens came on again to stem the tide.
Graham put a charge into a long fly ball that would have given GWU the lead, but the ball was caught shy of the fence for the first out. A confusing play ended the inning, as Eden's coaxed an unorthodox 4-6-3-6 double play – which saw the final out recorded as the lead runner was headed to the dugout after an unclear signal at second.
VMI added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach, getting a leadoff double from Jordan Tarsovich, an RBI fielder's choice by Geary and an RBI single by Connerley – with Connerly driving in Matt Winn, who collected a hit with one out.
Starter Mitch Warner (2-4) took the mound loss for GWU, allowing five runs on six hits in 5.0 innings of work. He struck out four and walked three.
The 'Dogs had 11 hits and stranded 11 runners in the game. Graham (2-for-5, run) was the lone man with more than one hit, as 10 different batters collected at least one hit in a balanced offensive effort.
Brandon Barbery (4-2) picked up the win for VMI, despite lasting only 5.0 innings and allowing three runs on five hits and three walks. Edens worked 3.0 complete for his second save of the day and ninth of the season., scattering four hits.
The Keydets also had 11 hits and stranded 11 runners in the game. Winn (2-for-4), Connerly (2-for-4) and Fleischer (2-for-3) led the way at the dish.
Gardner-Webb will host North Carolina A&T on Wednesday, April 22 at 6:00 pm.
