BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb's Erik Heiligenstadt and Radford's Michael Boyle engaged in a fine pitcher's duel Thursday night, with the first-place Highlanders taking a 2-1 win at John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field.
Gardner-Webb (17-13, 5-5 Big South) dropped its third league game in a row, with all three coming at home and by three runs or less.
The Runnin' Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead with two outs in the third, with left fielder Tyler Best ripping a line drive, solo home run deep over the fence in right field – the first hit of the game for Gardner-Webb and the first home run of Best's career.
Radford (17-11, 6-1 Big South) countered with one out in the top of the fourth, as cleanup man Patrick Marshall stepped in and drilled a breaking pitch deep over the fence in right center to tie the game. After Heiligenstadt recorded the second out of the inning, Danny Hrbek laced a solo shot of his own over the fence in right to give Radford a 2-1 lead.
Neither team would scratch after that flurry, with Heiligenstadt doing a tremendous job holding down Radford and Boyle doing the same.
Gardner-Webb got Best on board to lead off the eighth on a throwing miscue, but Boyle caught him in a run down on a steal/pickoff and the tying run was cut down at second base.
Ryan Meisinger came on for the save attempt in the ninth, and struck out the side to end the game.
Gardner-Webb had three hits in the game, with Best (1-for-4, HR, RBI), Henry Rundio (1-for-3, BB) and Scott Johnson (1-for-3, 2B) collecting those knocks.
Heiligenstadt (3-2) took the hard-luck loss, despite allowing just two runs in 7.2 innings of work. The Forest, Va., native fanned eight, did not issue a walk and scattered six hits. He held the Highlanders to an 0-for-8 performance with runners on base.
Boyle (5-2) was dominant early and kept control of the game, going 8.0 innings and allowing just three hits and one run with 10 strikeouts. He walked three men as well.
Radford had seven hits overall, with Aaron Scoville (2-for-4) collecting a pair. Marshall (1-for-4, HR, RBI) and Hrbek (1-for-4, HR, RBI) had the big hits for the Highlanders.
The two teams will play again on Friday, with first pitch set for 2:00 pm.
