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BOILING SPRINGS – Blair Huggins' line drive sacrifice fly to centerfield in the ninth drove home Eric Jones for the game winner Sunday, as Gardner-Webb completed the four-game sweep of Rider, 3-2.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (13-0) continued to build on the best start in program history.

Rider (0-8) took an early lead after Jake Bender led off with a double in the top of the first. Bender scored on an RBI groundout by Dalton Mayberry with one out and the 1-0 lead held firm until the fifth inning – as Gardner-Webb hit several balls hard over the first four frames, but right at Broncs' fielders much of the time.

Rider starter CJ Hirschy walked Blair Huggins with one out in the fifth, but got the second out of the inning on a fielder's choice that left speedy Taylor Fisher at first. Tyler Best came through with a big hit, smashing a double to the warning track to drive in Fisher and tie the game.

Paul Trick followed with a single to left, but Best was thrown out at the plate to end the inning and keep the score knotted 1-1.

Neither team mounted a threat again until the seventh, when Gardner-Webb surged in front with a quick burst. Pinch hitter Evan Hyett led off with a long double to center, moved to third on a single by pinch hitter Patrick Graham and scored on Huggins' first sacrifice fly of the game for a 2-1 lead. Graham stole second to move into scoring position with two outs, but was stranded.

Rider rallied to tie the game in the top of the ninth. Bender was the man who started things once again, getting a double just inside the third base line – and moving to third on a throwing error. He scored to tie the game on a ground ball to second base. Gardner-Webb reliever Wil Sellers settled down from there, getting out of the inning on a nice defensive play back to the mound for the third out.

The Runnin' Bulldogs wasted no time putting the pressure back on the visitors from New Jersey.

Jones led off the ninth with a single into the hole at shortstop and Mason Fox moved him into scoring position when he was plunked with a pitch while trying to bunt. Graham then legged out an infield single to load the bases – setting the stage for Huggins. The redshirt junior from Tallahassee, Fla., lined a 2-2 pitch to center and Jones beat the throw home to win the game.

Sellers (1-0) picked up the relief win, allowing an unearned run on two hits in 2.0 innings of work. Bradley Hallman pitched well in a no decision start, hurling 7.0 innings and allowing just one run on three hits. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.

The 'Dogs had nine hits in the game, with Jones (2-for-4, run) and Graham (2-for-2) leading the way. Fisher (1-for-4, run), Best (1-for-4, 2B, RBI), Trick (1-for-4), Collin Thacker (1-for-4) and Hyett (1-for-1, 2B, run) also had knocks for Gardner-Webb. Huggins drove in a pair with two sacrifice flies.

Rider reliever Paul Sparano (0-1) took the loss, allowing one run on two hits in 2.1 innings out of the pen. Hirschy hurled 6.0 innings and allowed just one run on five hits and three walks – as Gardner-Webb left eight men on base Sunday afternoon.

The Broncs had five hits in the game, with Bender (2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 runs) headlining that effort.

Gardner-Webb begins a busy week on Tuesday, traveling to face No. 6 North Carolina (9-1) at Boshamer Stadium. The Tar Heels also swept a team from the MAAC this weekend, topping Fairfield three times in Chapel Hill.

GWU then returns home for another home stand, hosting North Carolina A&T on Wednesday, March 9 (4:00 pm) and beginning a three-game set with James Madison on Friday, March 11 (4:00 pm).