BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb lost another heartbreaker Friday night, rallying late before falling short in a 6-4 loss to Campbell in a key Big South Conference matchup.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (19-27, 5-14 Big South) lost their 12th league game in a row in the process.
Gardner-Webb scored one run in the seventh and another in the eighth to cut Campbell's lead to 5-4 – and had the bases loaded with one out in the eighth – but would not be able to pull even.
The Camels (26-18, 9-10 Big South) called closer Cole Hallum in from left field to extinguish the GWU rally in the eighth, and he coaxed an infield fly and ground ball to keep the lead intact.
Also Campbell's cleanup hitter, Hallum provided a key insurance run in the top of the ninth, hammering a high fastball into the trees beyond left field for his 12th long ball of the season and a 6-4 lead. The Bakersfield, Calif., junior retired Gardner-Webb in order in the ninth for his eighth save of the season.
Gardner-Webb struck first on Friday night, getting a single from Ryan Hodge with one out in the first and a quick stolen base by the senior standout. Collin Thacker followed with a single to right and Hodge raced home for a 1-0 lead.
Neither team scratched again until Campbell put a five spot on the board in the fourth inning. The Camels rapped out five hits, took advantage of a balk and an error in the frame to fuel the rally. Austin Beard's two-run double was the big blow.
Gardner-Webb got a run back in the fifth after Will Canady singled to lead off and Tyler Best legged out an infield single with two away. Ryan Hodge earned a walk to load the bases and Thacker drove home a run when he was walked on four pitches to trim the lead to 5-2.
Gardner-Webb rallied again in the seventh, getting back-to-back doubles from Best and Hodge with two outs to cut the lead down to 5-3, but had their best chance to tie or go ahead with its eighth-inning charge.
Sam Fulginiti led off with a single up the middle and Henry Rundio walked with one out to get the tying run on base. Canady singled up the middle to load the bases, and pinch hitter J.D. Huggins drew a walk to drive home Fulginiti for a 5-4 score. Hallum came on from there, retiring the only two batters he faced in the inning on five pitches to halt momentum.
Erik Heiligenstadt (4-5) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on seven hits in 4.0 innings of work. Wil Sellers was brilliant in relief, tossing 5.0 strong innings and allowing just one run with six strikeouts and no free passes.
Best (2-for-5, 2B, run), Hodge (2-for-4, 2B, SB, RBI) and Canady (2-for-4, run) had six of Gardner-Webb's nine hits on the night. Thacker (1-for-4, 2 RBI), Fulginiti (1-for-5, run) and Paul Trick (1-for-3) also had base knocks.
Campbell ace Heath Bowers (7-4) scattered eight hits and allowed four runs to pick up the win. The senior righty fanned seven and walked two in a solid performance. Bobby Thorson (0.1 IP) and Hallum (1.2 IP) finished the game without further damage.
The Camels had 12 hits in the game, with Cedric Mullins (3-for-4, 2B, run, RBI) and Kyle Leady (2-for-5) pacing that offense.
The two teams will play again on Saturday at 2:00 pm. The game will air live on The Big South Network (bigsouthsports.com).
