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BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb scored runs in the first, fifth and eighth innings and Wil Sellers picked up his sixth save of the season in a 3-1 win over Presbyterian Saturday afternoon.

The win for Gardner-Webb (21-6, 2-1 Big South) clinched its first Big South Conference series. GWU also improved to 20-3 at John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field this season and has won 22 of its last 25 at home – dating back to 2015.

The Runnin' Bulldogs wasted no time taking a lead Saturday. GWU got on the board in the bottom of the first, getting an infield single from Taylor Fisher to lead off – followed by a double from Tyler Best. Danny Sullivan drove a sacrifice fly to left and Fisher sprinted home for a 1-0 lead. Presbyterian starter Jack McLaughlin worked out of the inning without further damage.

The 'Dogs got a pair on board with nobody out in the third, as Best and Sullivan led off with singles. A McLaughlin was undeterred, rolling a double play and getting another grounder to end the inning.

Gardner-Webb struck struck again with two outs in the fifth, getting a single to left from Sullivan. The GWU right fielder moved to second on a throw in the dirt – and Collin Thacker delivered with an RBI single up the middle for a 2-0 lead.

As it did less than 24 hours prior, Presbyterian (12-11, 1-2 Big South) made a charge in the top of the seventh inning. Cletis Avery got the Blue Hose on the board quickly, belting a first-pitch fastball deep over the fence in left to trim Gardner-Webb's lead to 2-1 – and chase Hallman from the game.

Sellers came on from the bullpen and worked out of trouble after allowing a single – ending the threat with a strikeout.

Thacker belted a two-out double into the left center gap in the bottom half of the seventh, but Presbyterian reliever Colton Springs settled back down with a strikeout to end the inning and leave Thacker standing on second base.

After Sellers cruised through the eighth, pinch hitter Chandler Redmond led off the bottom half with a single into the hole at shortstop. Mason Fox moved pinch runner Chris Clary into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt and Paul Trick drew a walk.

Freshman catcher Justin Kunz ripped a pitch into left field to drive home the speedy Clary, putting the 'Dogs up 3-1 before Blue Hose closer Hayden Deal could get his team back into the dugout.

The lead was safe, however, as Sellers sat the Blue Hose down in order – using 12 pitches to end the game.

Hallman (3-1) earned the win, allowing just one run on six hits in 6.0 innings of another quality start. The Denver, N.C., sophomore fanned six and walked one.

Sellers allowed only one single and struck out three in 3.0 scoreless frames for his sixth save of 2016.

The Runnin' Bulldogs collected 12 hits in the game, with Best (2-for-4, 2B), Sullivan (2-for-3, RBI, run), Thacker (2-for-4, 2B, RBI), Trick (2-for-3) and Kunz (2-for-4, RBI) accounting for 10 of those base knocks.

Fisher (1-for-5) and Redmond (1-for-1) also had hits for Gardner-Webb.

McLaughlin (0-2) took the loss in his second start of the season for Presbyterian, allowing two runs on seven hits in 5.0 innings pitched. Three different relievers finished the game for the Blue Hose, allowing only one run down the stretch.

Presbyterian had seven hits, with Jacob Midkiff (2-for-4, 2B) leading the way. Leadoff hitter Tyler Weyenberg (1-for-4) extended his hitting streak to 18 games with a single. Avery (1-for-3, HR, RBI) had the big hit for the Blue Hose.

The Runnin' Bulldogs close out the month of March with a home game on Wednesday, March 30, against USC Upstate. First pitch is set for 6:00 pm.