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BOILING SPRINGS – Presbyterian's Tanner Chock hurled a two-hit shutout Friday night and the Blue Hose broke up a shutout themselves with a three-run seventh inning to spark a 3-0 win over Gardner-Webb.

Gardner-Webb (20-6, 1-1 Big South) lost for just the third time at John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field this season. It also marked the first time GWU has been shut out in 2016 and the first time overall since May 9, 2015 vs. Longwood.

Chock and GWU starter Jeremy Walker engaged in a sharp pitchers duel early, with neither running into much trouble until the Blue Hose (12-10, 1-1 Big South) mounted their rally in the seventh.

Presbyterian started quickly that inning, getting an infield hit to lead off the inning from A.J. Priaulx and a sharp single through the left side from Jacob Midkiff – snapping a string that saw Walker sit down 15 of 16 batters.

Nick Wise followed by lofting a single into shallow left to load the bases, but Gardner-Webb caught a brief break with Priaulx was thrown out trying to score on a wild pitch. Midkiff and Wise each moved into scoring position on that play, however, and Cletis Avery smacked an RBI single to give the Blue Hose a 1-0 lead.

Avery stole second easily to move into scoring position, and Rob Koski brought both men home with a chopper up the middle against an infield playing in close – putting Presbyterian up 3-0. A hard hit ball by Ryan Hedrick nearly got through to extend the rally, but first baseman Patrick Graham snagged the liner and tagged Koski to end the frame.

Chock continued to cruise on the mound for Presbyterian, however, sitting Gardner-Webb down in order again in the bottom of the seventh on just seven pitches.

Walker worked out of a jam in the eighth with no damage, overcoming back-to-back singles to start the inning. A strikeout slowed things and Walker intentionally walked Priaulx to load the bases in hopes of setting up a double play. The strategy worked, as GWU rolled a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.

Gardner-Webb attempted to seize momentum in the bottom of the eighth, as Patrick Graham poked a first-pitch single through the left side to lead off. Chock recovered with a pop up in shallow right field for the first out and got a grounder for the second out of the inning – although Graham moved up to second on the play. Chock finished the inning with a strikeout to keep the shutout intact.

Chock (1-2) went the distance for the first time this season, allowing just two hits and fanning seven. It was the first appearance for the sophomore this season with no walks issued. He needed only 87 pitches to get through the game – which lasted less than two hours (1:48). Chock's previous long outing was 6.2 innings last season vs. Georgia Tech as a freshman.

The Blue Hose were led offensively by Priaulx (2-for-3), Wise (2-for-4) and Avery (2-for-3). Eight of the nine starters had at least one single for Presbyterian Friday night.

Walker (4-2) dropped his second decision in as many weeks, despite going the distance and allowing only three runs. He scattered 11 singles – three of the infield variety – and fanned six batters.

Kunz (1-for-3, 2B) and Graham (1-for-3) had the two hits for Gardner-Webb.

The two teams will play the series rubber match on Saturday afternoon at 2:00.