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BOILING SPRINGS – Radford scored on a double play grounder in the bottom of the first inning and kept Gardner-Webb off balance all evening to take a 1-0 win in the opener of a critical Big South Conference series.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (30-15, 8-8 Big South) dropped its sixth road game in Big South play so far. Ace Brad Haymes went the distance for the fourth game in a row and seventh time this season, but took his second loss of the season despite allowing just one run.

GWU got the tying and go-ahead runs on board with nobody out in the ninth, but Radford (13-29, 5-8 Big South) closer Austin Ross retired the next three men in order to slam the door.

Paul Trick's line drive with one out appeared to be the needed swing with the tying run on second, but the potential big hit was snagged at third base to keep the lead intact. Tyler Best then drove a pitch to the warning track in left field, but it was tracked down to end the game.

Gardner-Webb threatened just three times all night – stranding Taylor Fisher on third base in the third, stranding Mason Fox on third in the fifth inning and its ninth inning life that fell just short.

Radford got all the run support it would need for ace Zach Ridgely in the bottom of the first inning.

A leadoff walk to Chris Coia – just Haymes' ninth issued this season – haunted the 'Dogs, as Shane Johnsonbaugh rolled a single through the right side to move Coia to third with nobody out. Danny Hrbek grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, but Coia scored from third for a 1-0 lead that would stand.

Haymes (8-2) scattered seven singles – including two infield hits – struck out four batters and walked one in a hard-luck loss.

Taylor Fisher (2-for-4, SB) led Gardner-Webb offensively, with a sluggish night producing just five singles against Radford's Ridgely – a southpaw who worked deep on Friday night. Justin Kunz (1-for-4), Danny Sullivan (1-for-4) and Paul Trick (1-for-4) also had hits for Gardner-Webb.

Ridgely (3-4) allowed just four singles, struck out five and did not issue a walk in his 8.0 strong innings of work. He rolled 11 ground ball outs as well in an efficient effort. Ross picked up his third save of the season, pitching back from a leadoff walk to Collin Thacker and a Sullivan single in the ninth to seal it.

Nygeal Andrews (2-for-4) led Radford offensively, with six different batters collecting at least one hit on Friday for the Highlanders.

The two teams will have a very quick turnaround, starting a doubleheader on Saturday at high Noon. Jeremy Walker and Bradley Hallman will take the mound for Gardner-Webb, who will attempt to rally for their first road series win since March, 2015 at Winthrop.