BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – A pair of costly errors in the eighth inning, along with a handful of wild pitches in the ninth doomed Gardner-Webb, as the team fell to Liberty by a 10-8 score on Friday evening.
With the score tied 7-7 after seven innings, Liberty (22-14, 8-5 Big South) would take the lead in the eighth after a failed pickoff attempt by Gardner-Webb (19-18, 7-6 Big South) pitcher Taylor Goodwin, followed by a throwing error by centerfielder Peyton McGuire that scored Eric Grabowski, who led off the frame with a double.
Goodwin would strike out the next three batters he faced to get out of the inning.
The Flames would add two runs in the top of the ninth, scoring twice on wild pitches by Tyler Johnson, to go up by a 10-7 score.
The Runnin' Bulldogs would attempt a comeback effort in the bottom of the ninth with two outs. Justin Kunz would draw a walk from Liberty closer Jack DeGroat, which was followed by a single to center field by Collin Thacker. Danny Sullivan would then single through the left side of the field to score Kunz and bringing the go-ahead run to the plate as Chandler Redmond would come up to bat.
Redmond would hit a deep fly ball to the left field corner, but Liberty left fielder Jake Barbee was just able to get to it in time to end the game.
Liberty would strike first in the contest, taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on a RBI double by Sammy Taormina and a two-RBI double by Andrew Kowalo.
Gardner-Webb would answer in the bottom half of the inning, as Paul Trick would lead off the frame with a solo home run to dead center field. GWU would score twice more in the inning on a groundout by Danny Sullivan and an error by Liberty third baseman Trey McDyre.
The Diamond 'Dogs would take a 6-3 lead in the third inning as an error by shortstop Cam Locklear allowed Mickey Dugan to score, followed later in the frame by a two-RBI single up the middle by Gage Parham.
Liberty would tie the game in the top of the fifth on a three-run home run by Barbee off of the middle part of the scoreboard, and the Flames would take a one run lead in the sixth on a RBI double by pinch hitter Payton Scarbrough.
GWU would tie the game at 7-7 in the bottom of the seventh as Kunz would send a missile off the upper part of the scoreboard.
Goodwin (1-1) took the loss for Gardner-Webb, allowing three runs in 1.2 innings of work from the bullpen with four strikeouts. Starter Zach Mosay lasted 5.2 innings, allowing seven runs on eight this with three strikeouts.
Gardner-Webb had eight base hits, with Sullivan (2-for-5, RBI) and Parham (2-for-4, 2 RBI) each collecting multiple base knocks.
Shane Quarterly (3-1) earned the win for Liberty, tossing 2.1 innings in relief, allowing one run on three hits. Starter Garret Price went 5.2 innings, allowing six runs on three hits while fanning six batters. DeGroat worked the ninth to earn his fourth save of the season.
The Flames had nine base hits throughout the game, led by D.J. Artis, who was 2-for-3 at the plate.
The two teams will wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 pm. Both games will be broadcast on the Big South Network (www.bigsouthsports.com).
