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BOILING SPRINGS – Paul Trick went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI to lead Gardner-Webb to a 10-6 win over North Carolina A&T Wednesday.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (14-1) jumped out to an early 5-1 lead and effectively put the game away with a four-run burst in the sixth inning to go up 9-3. The Aggies (3-10) plated three runs in the top of the seventh, but would get no closer as GWU completed the season sweep.

Trick delivered the big blow in the bottom of the first, following a Tyler Best walk with a two-run bomb to left field – his first of the season – for a 2-0 lead.

The Aggies pushed across a run in the top of the second on a Ryan Doggett grounder that drove in Ryan Jantsch, but the Runnin' Bulldogs responded with three runs in the bottom half to go up 5-1.

Chandler Redmond was the first base runner of the inning for GWU, coaxing a 3-2 walk with one out. Matt Simmons singled through the right side and Justin Kunz walked to load the bases, putting the 'Dogs in business.

Taylor Fisher came through with an RBI single to left for a 3-1 lead, then Best plated a run with an RBI fielder's choice. Trick followed with an RBI single for the 5-1 advantage.

North Carolina A&T pulled within two runs in the middle innings, scoring a run in the fifth on a Jantsch RBI single and another in the sixth on a single by Myles Sowell – with Sowell's hit making the score 5-3. GWU reliever Ryan Boelter got out of that sixth-inning jam with a strikeout and the offense would stretch the lead in the bottom half.

Gardner-Webb quickly loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the sixth, with Kunz lacing a single to left, Fisher walking and Trick earning a walk with one away. Collin Thacker dumped an RBI single into right to push the lead to 6-3, then Danny Sullivan drove a ball deep to left center that just missed getting out of the park – but was deep enough to score Fisher from third for a 7-3 score.

Patrick Graham was hit by a pitch to load the sacks, then Chandler Redmond roped a two-run single to right for a 9-3 edge.

A&T got itself within striking distance in the seventh, getting back-to-back singles from Adan Ordonez and Jantsch to lead off the inning. A walk loaded the bases and Ryan Doggett's infield single cut the lead to 9-4. A pair of fielder's choice RBI made the score 9-6 before GWU relief ace Wil Sellers shut the door.

Graham drove in Mason Fox with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth and Sellers cruised the rest of the way for his third save of the season.

The Runnin' Bulldogs collected 12 hits in the game, with Trick (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI), Thacker (2-for-5, RBI), Redmond (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and Simmons (2-for-4) leading the way. Fisher (1-for-3, RBI), Sullivan (1-for-4, RBI), Graham (1-for-2, RBI) and Kunz (1-for-2, 2 runs) also had hits Wednesday afternoon.

Tyler Johnson (2-0) picked up the win in relief, hurling 3.0 innings without allowing an earned run. He fanned three batters and scattered four hits – all singles. GWU used five pitchers in the game, which lasted nearly three and a half hours. Sellers hurled 2.2 scoreless innings and fanned two for the save.

The Aggies also had 12 hits, with Jantsch (3-for-4, 2 runs, 2B, RBI) pacing that attack. Righthander B Smith (0-2) took the loss, lasting just 1.1 innings and allowing five runs on three hits with three walks. North Carolina A&T went to five pitchers in the game as well.

Gardner-Webb remains at home for a weekend series, hosting James Madison on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Boiling Springs. The 'Dogs and Dukes begin the series on Friday at 4:00 pm.