CHARLESTON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb earned a 6-3 win at Charleston Southern in the opening contest of a key Big South Conference series on Thursday night.
Gardner-Webb improved to 17-16 overall and 6-4 in Big South play, while Charleston Southern dropped to 16-17 overall and 5-8 in league action.
The Runnin' Bulldogs would scratch first, putting a pair of runs on the board in the top of the third inning. Mason Fox would lead off the frame with a double down the left field line, and would later score on a RBI single by Paul Trick. That was followed by a double down the right field line by Mickey Dugan that would plate Trick.
The Buccaneers would respond in the bottom half of the frame as Jason Miller would hit a RBI triple to right field, scoring Alex Andronica, who led off with a double.
Danny Sullivan would lead off the fourth inning with a solo blast over the center field wall. It was the 11th home run of the season for Sullivan, which is best in the Big South.
CSU would answer in the bottom of the fourth on a RBI double by Chris Singleton.
Gardner-Webb would score again in the top of the fifth inning, as a RBI double to deep center field by Justin Kunz would send Trick home, who reached on a single earlier in the inning.
Charleston Southern would once again pull within one run in the bottom half of the frame on a solo home run to left field by Aaron Miller.
GWU scored two runs in the sixth, the first coming on a RBI single by Peyton McGuire, and the second on a RBI double to center field by Trick, giving the Diamond 'Dogs a 6-3 advantage.
Zach Mosay (5-3) picked up the win, hurling 6.0 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits with three strikeouts. Jarrett Thompson tossed two scoreless innings in relief, allowing just two hits with three strikeouts. Wil Sellers closed the game, tossing a scoreless ninth to earn his sixth save of the season.
The Runnin' Bulldogs produced 14 base hits on the evening, with Trick (4-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 2-runs), Dugan (2-for-5, 2B, RBI), Kunz (2-for-5, 2B, RBI), and Sullivan (2-for-4, HR) each having multiple base knocks.
Nik Constantakos (3-2) was saddled with the loss for Charleston Southern, allowing six runs on ten base hits in 5.1 innings of work.
The Buccaneers had 14 base hits, with Jason Miller (4-for-5, 3B, RBI) leading that effort.
The two teams will square off again tomorrow afternoon, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:00 pm.
