CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Charlotte's Logan Sherer hit a grand slam in the third to erase an early Gardner-Webb lead, and the 49ers captured a 9-5 win over the Runnin' Bulldogs Tuesday night in non-conference action.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (19-26) took a 2-1 lead with two runs in the top of the third, getting a leadoff double from Evan Hyett to get that rally underway. Hyett later scored on an error to tie the game and Ryan Hodge drove home the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly for a 2-1 lead.
Charlotte (17-21) went in front for good in the bottom half of the third, getting a one-out walk and two consecutive singles to load the bases for Sherer. The big first baseman belted the first pitch of his at bat over the wall in left to give the 49ers a 5-2 lead. Charlotte added two more runs in the fifth and single runs in both the sixh and the eighth for its offensive production.
Gardner-Webb took advantage of an error to get within 8-3 in the eighth, as Hodge walked and moved into scoring position on a 49ers' miscue. Jacob Walker took advantage, driving Hodge in with a sacrifice fly. The Runnin' Bulldogs loaded the bases later in the inning, as Scott Johnson singled with one out and Matt Simmons coaxed a two-out walk. Brantley Smith's line drive to right field was caught, however, stranding three runners and preventing the tying run from getting to the dish.
GWU plated two runs in the ninth, with Collin Thacker and J.D. Huggins collecting hits early in the inning, and two Charlotte errors allowing runs to score. The 49ers worked out of the inning without further damage to preserve the win.
Jeremy Walker (2-4) took the mound loss for Gardner-Webb, allowing four earned runs on six hits in 3.2 innings pitched. Those were the only earned runs allowed by GWU on the night, as three errors proved costly.
Six different batters collected one hit each.
Charlotte's Matt Horkey (2-4) was the sixth consecutive southpaw to start on the mound against Gardner-Webb and was effective. Horkey picked up the win, allowing just two unearned runs on three hits in 6.0 innings pitched.
The 49ers committed four errors in the game, but made up for those miscues with 13 hits offensively. Sherer (4-for-5, HR, 5 RBI) was the catalyst for that attack.
Gardner-Webb returns home to face Big South Conference foe Campbell on Friday night at 7:00 pm. The game will air live on ESPN3 (WatchESPN.com), with Mike Hogewood and Nate Ross calling the action from John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field.
