CLINTON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb allowed two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to fall to Presbyterian by a 2-1 score on Saturday afternoon.

Gardner-Webb (22-20, 9-8 Big South) allowed a base hit to Presbyterian (22-23, 10-7 Big South) pinch hitter Jack McLaughlin to lead off the frame.  Chris Thompson would pinch run for McLaughlin and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Glen Casaceli.

Brett Auckland would lay down a bunt for a base hit to put Thompson on third, and would score on a single to left field by T.J. Richardson to tie the game with one out.

The Blue Hose would take the lead on a RBI single to left field by Connor Slagill with two outs. 

Gardner-Webb would threaten in the top of the ninth, as Collin Thacker would single down the left field line with one out.

Danny Sullivan would be hit by a pitch in the next at bat to put runners on first and second for Chandler Redmond, who would send a pitch into deep right field to advance pinch runner Chris Clary to third, but the Runnin' Bulldogs would be unable to score to extend the game as PC closer Ryan Hedrick recorded the final out to end the game.

Gardner-Webb would jump out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.  Mickey Dugan would reach on an infield single, followed by a fielding error by PC third baseman Glen Casaceli that allowed Justin Kunz to reach, putting runners on first and second with one out.

Collin Thacker would draw a walk from pitcher Tanner Chock to load the bases, and Danny Sullivan would follow suit, drawing a walk to score the first run of the afternoon.

Neither team would threaten to score again until the bottom of the fifth inning.  Cletus Avery would reach on an error by shortstop Paul Trick to lead off the frame and would advance to second base on a passed ball.  Guy Casaceli would ground out to advance Avery to third with one away, but Gardner-Webb would shut down the potential scoring opportunity, getting Glen Casaceli to line out to Trick and Brett Auckland would fly out to left field to end the threat. 

Jarrett Thompson (3-1) took the loss for Gardner-Webb, allowing both runs in the eighth on four base hits.  Starter Bradley Hallman lasted 7.0 innings in the no decision, scattering four base hits with one strikeout.

Gardner-Webb had three base hits on the day, with Dugan, Thacker, and Matt Simmons each earning a base knock.

Tanner Chock (2-5) earned the win for the Blue Hose, allowing one run on two base hits in 8.0 innings of work with nine strikeouts.  Hedrick tossed a scoreless ninth to earn the save.

The two teams wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon, with the first pitch scheduled for 1:00 pm.