CLINTON, S.C. – Collin Thacker and Danny Sullivan each hit a pair of home runs to propel Gardner-Webb to a 10-4 win over Presbyterian on Friday afternoon.
Gardner-Webb improves to 22-19 on the year and 9-7 in Big South play, while Presbyterian falls to 21-23 overall and 9-7 in league play.
Presbyterian jumped out to an early lead in the first inning, after an RBI single by A.J. Priaulx scored Glen Casaceli, who led off the frame with base hit.
Gardner-Webb would answer in the top of the second, claiming the lead on a two-run single to right field by Mason Fox. Matt Simmons would follow with a RBI fielder's choice to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a 3-1 advantage.
The Blue Hose would tie the game in the bottom half of the frame, scoring once on a RBI double to center field by Tannor Byrd, and later in the inning on a RBI ground out by Casaceli
The Diamond 'Dogs would retake the lead in the third on back-to-back solo home runs by Thacker and Sullivan.
GWU would seize control of the contest in the top of the fifth inning. Mickey Dugan and Justin Kunz would reach on consecutive base hits, which was followed by a three-run blast by Thacker to left field, his second home run of the afternoon.
Sullivan would step up next and send the first pitch he say over the left field fence for his second home run of the afternoon, giving the Runnin' Bulldogs a 9-3 lead.
Presbyterian would score once in the bottom of the fifth to pull within 9-4.
Gardner-Webb would tack on an additional run in the top of the ninth on a RBI single by Thacker.
Zach Mosay (6-3) tossed a complete game for the Runnin' Bulldogs, allowing four runs on 11 base hits. The righty fanned four batters while issuing no walks.
The Runnin' Bulldogs had 11 base hits on the day, with Thacker (3-for-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2-runs), Sullivan (3-for-5, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 3-runs), and Fox (2-for-4, 2 RBI) each collecting multiple hits.
Brian Kehner (4-3) took the loss for Presbyterian, allowing nine runs on ten base hits in 6.0 innings of work.
The Blue Hose had 11 base hits, with T.J. Richardson (2-for-4) and Nick Wise (2-for-4) leading that effort.
The two teams will square off again tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 pm.
