Box Score @GWUBaseball | Game InfoGraphic | @BigSouthBase
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Gardner-Webb hit three balls out of the park and scored 10 unanswered runs to spark an 11-6 win over UNC Asheville Friday night at Greenwood Field.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (31-18, 10-9 Big South) rapped out 14 hits, including seven for extra bases in the win – which was their first Friday night road win in league play this season.
It was more than enough run support for ace Brad Haymes (9-3), who scattered five hits to pick up his first road win since April 6 at Furman. GWU batted 7-for-14 with runners on base and 4-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
UNC Asheville (16-32, 5-14 Big South) took advantage of two uncharacteristic walks and a two-out hit by Dan Wilson to go up 2-0 in the bottom of the first inning – only the fourth time this season in 13 starts Haymes has not tossed a scoreless first frame.
Gardner-Webb answered with four runs of its own in the top of the second – using five hits to take the lead.
Danny Sullivan delivered a one-out single up the middle to get things started and Patrick Graham followed suit to bring the go-ahead run to the plate. Sullivan scored on a double to left center by Paul Trick to cut the lead to 2-1. Matt Simmons followed with a two-run double to right, driving home Graham and Trick to give Gardner-Webb a 3-2 lead.
Mason Fox followed with a single to move Simmons to third – and Simmons made it home on an error for a 4-2 GWU advantage.
After UNC Asheville went to the bullpen early, Justin Kunz extended Gardner-Webb's lead in the top of the third, leading off with a deep solo home run to left – his fifth of the season – for a 5-2 lead. Mason Fox laced a two-out double in the fourth to provide more offense, stole third base with ease and scored on a wild pitch for a 6-2 edge.
The long ball continued to benefit the visitors in the fourth.
Sullivan led off with a single into left center and scored on Paul Trick's long, two-run homer to center. Fox provided more two-out spark moments later as he was hit by a pitch to reach for the third time.
Taylor Fisher then delivered a big blow, belting his first career home run to left for a 10-2 lead before the host Bulldogs could work out of the inning.
Pete Guy finally got UNC Asheville back on the scoreboard in the seventh, lifting his 11th home run of the season to centerfield – a two-run shot – to cut the lead to 10-4.
Collin Thacker belted a two-out double off the base of the wall in right center in the top of the ninth and Sullivan drove him home for an 11-4 lead.
UNC Asheville took advantage of a youthful bullpen in the bottom of the ninth, coaxing four consecutive walks with one out in the inning to cut the lead to 11-5. Jarrett Thompson came out of the bullpen from there and slowed the brief surge with a ground ball out – but the host Bulldogs scored a run on the play to make the score 11-6.
Thompson ended the game with a strikeout, however, getting a called strike three to finish the job.
Sullivan led Gardner-Webb offensively, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Kunz (2-for-4, HR, RBI), Trick (2-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), Simmons (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) and Fox (2-for-3, 2 SB, 2 runs) each had a pair of hits. Fisher (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI), Thacker (1-for-5, 2B, run) and Graham (1-for-5, run) also had knocks for GWU.
Haymes worked 7.0 innings and struck out seven in the win. He walked three, scattered five hits and allowed four runs. Tyler Johnson came on to work a scoreless eighth, striking out a pair in a strong effort.
Wilson (2-3) took the loss for UNC Asheville, lasting just 2.0 innings and allowing four runs on five hits. Spencer Orr worked 4.0 innings in relief, allowing six runs on five hits. Parker Swindle worked 2.0 scoreless frames out of the pen, scattering two hits and striking out one.
Guy (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) and Wilson (1-for-3, 2 RBI) paced Asheville's six-hit offensive effort. Six different men scored a run for the Bulldogs.
The two teams will play again on Saturday afternoon, with first pitch set for 3:00 pm at Greenwood Field.