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BOILING SPRINGS – USC Upstate scored single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings and Gardner-Webb's bats went cold in a 3-0 loss to the Spartans Wednesday night at John Henry Moss Stadium/Bill Masters Field.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (21-7) were shut out for only the second time in 2016, managing just four hits against the Spartans (13-12). Five different USC Upstate pitchers combined for the shutout Wednesday night.

The two teams will play again in Spartanburg, S.C., on April 13.

Upstate took the lead for good in the third, getting a one-out single from James Fowlkes, a stolen base and an RBI single from Charlie Carpenter for a 1-0 lead. The lead grew to 2-0 after a costly error to start the fourth inning. Jake Beaver's tapper back to the mound was thrown away, allowing him to trot all the way to second base. After a strikeout, Devon Ortiz doubled to left for a 2-0 advantage.

Cody Brittain led off the fifth and was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a ground ball and scored on Jordan Ford's single up the middle for what would be the final run of the game for either side.

Tyler Johnson came on to get a double play in the fifth – one one pitch – to limit damage and hurled 2.2 scoreless innings to keep GWU within striking distance. Ryan Boelter and Wil Sellers each tossed a scoreless inning of relief to close out the game.

Pinch hitter Jacob Walker led off the eighth inning with a hard double down the line, but was left standing at third base. Brittain moved to the mound for the eighth inning and ended the threat with a pair of strikeouts.

A double with one out in the ninth by Collin Thacker provided a glimmer of hope for Gardner-Webb, but closer Richie Lacell recovered with a fly ball and foul out to end the game.

Andrew Massey (3-2) took the mound loss for Gardner-Webb, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits in 4.1 innings of work. He fanned four Upstate batters.

Taylor Fisher (1-for-3), Danny Sullivan (1-for-3), Thacker (1-for-3, 2B) and Walker (1-for-1, 2B) had Gardner-Webb's four hits. Thacker's double was his league-best 15th of the season.

Carpenter (1-1) picked up the win for the Spartans, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings of relief and allowing just one hit (two strikeouts). He also went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI.

Blake Whitney (2.0 IP), Jordan Miller (3.0 IP), Brittain (1.0 IP) and Lacell (1.0 IP) finished the job. Lacell picked up his fifth save of the season.

Fowlkes (3-for-5), Carpenter (2-for-4, RBI), Ford (2-for-4), Beaver (2-for-4) and Ortiz (3-for-4, 2 2B) combined for all 12 of USC Upstate's hits on Wednesday night.

Gardner-Webb will start a nine-game road trip on Friday night, traveling to face Big South favorite and 21st-ranked Coastal Carolina at 6:00 pm in Conway, S.C.