LYNCHBURG, Va. – Rain pushed the start time to 10:00 am Saturday for Gardner-Webb's second game at Liberty, and the host Flames got a walk-off single in the ninth to take a 3-2 win.
Gardner-Webb (19-24, 5-12 Big South) trailed 2-0 heading into the eighth inning, when pinch hitter Brantley Smith drilled a breaking pitch over the fence for a solo home run that cut the Flames' lead in half.
GWU took advantage of a Liberty (27-16, 13-4 Big South) fielding miscue in the top of the ninth, allowing Matt Simmons to reach with one out. Pinch runner Taylor Fisher then scored on a hit-and-run play when Will Canady singled through the left side – tying the game. A J.D. Huggins grounder moved Canady to third base, but the Flames would strand him there.
Brad Haymes came out of the bullpen to start the bottom of the ninth on the mound for Gardner-Webb – and found himself in a difficult spot when Nick Salisbury coaxed a five-pitch walk to lead off. Tray Roberts was inserted as a pinch runner and quickly swiped second base – then moved to third on a ground out.
Nick Paxton delivered the game winner through a drawn-in infield, giving the Flames their second win of the series in as many days.
Gardner-Webb got a strong starting performance again Saturday, this time from senior Matt Fraudin. The big righty from Upper St. Clair, Pa., took a no decision after allowing just two runs on six singles in 8.0 innings pitched. He fanned four, walked two and induced 11 groundouts in the game.
Haymes (1-3) was tagged with the loss out of the pen.
GWU managed six hits on Saturday, with Ryan Hodge bouncing back to go 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Collin Thacker (1-for-3), Canady (1-for-1), Scott Johnson (1-for-3) and Smith (1-for-1, HR, RBI) also had knocks for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Alex Close (1-1) got the win with an inning of solid relief, fanning two and allowing an unearned run. Victor Cole had a strong start for the Flames, going 8.0 innings, striking out eight and allowing just one run on five hits.
The Flames had seven hits on Saturday, with Ashton Perritt (2-for-4, 2 runs) leading the way.
The two teams are scheduled to wrap up the series on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 barring any lingering bad weather in the area. The finale is set to air live on The Big South Network and ESPN3.
