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RADFORD, Va. – Gardner-Webb rallied for six runs in its final two at bats to open Saturday's doubleheader with a 10-4 win over Radford.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (31-15, 9-8 Big South) pushed across three runs in the eighth and three more in the ninth for the winning margin – winning a slugfest that was a far cry from Friday night's 1-0 result. The two teams combined for 24 hits in Saturday's first game.

Gardner-Webb went ahead quickly in the second inning, getting a leadoff double from Collin Thacker – his 22nd of the season – to fuel the rally. Danny Sullivan made that two-bagger sting, as he belted his eighth home run of the season to left field for a 2-0 margin.

The Highlanders worked back even, getting a run in the bottom of the second and another in the third – tying the game after a two-out double by Shane Johnsonbaugh and an RBI single by Danny Hrbek in the third inning.

Neither team scored again until the top of the seventh, when Paul Trick led off with a single up the middle. Trick moved to second on Matt Simmons' sacrifice bunt and scored on Blair Huggins' RBI single to left for a 3-2 lead. Huggins moved into scoring position on an error in left, and forced Radford to go to the bullpen.

Huggins scored on a throwing error on Justin Kunz' fielder's choice for a 4-2 margin, before the Highlanders could get back into the dugout.

Radford rallied to tie the game after the seventh inning stretch, with a pair of infield singles setting the table. Chris Coia delivered a two-run double with one out in the frame to knot the score, 4-4. After a strikeout and an intentional walk to Hrbek, Gardner-Webb starter Jeremy Walker recorded another strikeout to end the threat.

Gardner-Webb responded in the eighth, plating three runs seize an advantage. Thacker reached on an error to lead off the frame and Sullivan followed with his second hit of the day – a single to left – to put the 'Dogs in business. A sacrifice bunt by Patrick Graham moved both into scoring position and Trick delivered with a two-run double for a 6-4 lead.

After Trick moved to third on an error that allowed Simmons to reach base, Huggins came through with another RBI, laying down a sacrifice bunt for a 7-4 margin.

The Runnin' Bulldogs went to the bullpen in the eighth and Wil Sellers pitched around a leadoff single and a two-out infield single to strand a pair with the three-run lead intact.

Kunz started things nicely for Gardner-Webb in the top of the ninth, beating out a single to third base. Tyler Best bunted pinch runner Evan Hyatt into scoring position, setting the table for the middle of the GWU order.

Thacker delivered with an RBI single to left center to provide some insurance and an 8-4 lead. Sullivan followed with an infield single to put two men on, and both Sullivan and pinch runner Eric Jones moved into scoring position on a wild pitch.

Patrick Graham's RBI groundout plated Jones for a 9-4 lead and Trick singled to shortstop to drive home Sullivan for a 10-4 margin.

Sellers came back out of the ninth and retired the Highlanders in order for his school-record 10th save of the season.

Walker (7-4) picked up the win, working 7.0 innings, scattering eight hits and striking out nine. He walked a pair of allowed four runs to pick up his third victory in his last three starts.

Sellers' 10th save of the season moves him past former Gardner-Webb standout Kevin Wellmon for first on the single-season saves list. Wellmon set the record in 2000 with nine saves to help GWU to the NCAA Division II World Series.

Gardner-Webb had 14 hits in the opener, with Huggins (3-for-3, 2 RBI), Sullivan (3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI, 3 runs) and Trick (3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI) leading the way. Thacker (2-for-5, 2B, RBI) and Kunz (2-for-4) each had a pair of hits. Graham (1-for-4, RBI) also had a base knock.

Radford reliever Travis McQueen (2-2) took the loss out of the pen, allowing six hits and six runs (five earned) in 2.2 innings of work. Starter Mitchell MacKeith worked 6.1 innings in a no decision, allowing eight hits and four runs (three earned).

The Highlanders collected 10 hits in the game, with Trevor Riggs (2-for-4, 2 2B) and Colby Higgerson (2-for-4) leading that charge.

The two teams will wrap up the series with a second game Saturday afternoon. Sophomore Bradley Hallman will take the hill for Gardner-Webb, with Radford's starter TBA.