HIGH POINT, N.C. – Gardner-Webb surrendered two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, falling to High Point by a 6-4 score in the weekend Big South series opener on Friday evening.

Gardner-Webb (12-15, 1-3 Big South) collected seven base hits on the evening, with three being home runs.  Danny Sullivan led the way for the Runnin' Bulldogs, going 3-for-4, with a home run.  Mickey Dugan (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) also had multiple base hits.

High Point (12-13, 2-5 Big South) totaled 11 base hits, with Carson Jackson (3-for-4, 2B, run) pacing the Panthers offensively. 

The Runnin' Bulldogs took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning after Sullivan launched the ball past the center field wall, his sixth home run of the season.

High Point would take the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning on a two-run home run by Austin Zente, and would score once more in the frame on a RBI double by Josh Greene, giving the Panthers a 3-1 advantage.

Gardner-Webb would tie the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth inning on a two-run shot to left field by Dugan, his fifth home run of the season. 

High Point would reclaim the lead in the bottom of the seventh, as a single through the left side of the field by Tim Mansfield plated Zente. 

The 'Dogs would rely on the long ball once again in the top of the eighth, tying the game once more in the top of the eighth on a solo home run by Paul Trick to left field. 

The Panthers would take the lead for good in the bottom half of the frame on a RBI double to right field by Spencer Brown, followed by a RBI single through the right side of the field by Blake Schunk. 

Aaron Stewart took the loss for the Runnin' Bulldogs in 0.2 innings of relief, allowing two runs with one strikeout.  Starter Zach Mosay lasted 6.2 innings, allowing four runs on eight base hits while fanning five batters. 

Matt Hodges was awarded the win for High Point, tossing the final 1.1 innings, allowing no runs with just one base hit while striking out one batter.  Starter Andrew Gottfried went 7.2 innings, allowing three earned runs on six base hits while striking out eight batters.

The two teams will square off again tomorrow evening at 6:00 pm, with live video on the Big South Network (www.bigsouthsports.com).