BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb scored six unanswered runs in the late innings to earn a 7-2 win over Longwood on Sunday afternoon.
Gardner-Webb (16-16, 5-4 Big South) completed the series sweep of Longwood (10-20, 3-6 Big South) with its third consecutive comeback victory in as many days.
The Lancers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, leading off the frame with three straight base hits, capped by a RBI single by Michael Osinski.
The Runnin' Bulldogs would answer in the bottom half of the first as Justin Kunz would send a solo shot over the right field wall, his first home run of the season.
Longwood would reclaim the lead in the top of the third on a RBI single by Carlos Garrido.
Neither team would scratch again until the sixth inning when Gardner-Webb would retake the lead, scoring three runs. Collin Thacker doubled deep into left field to score Paul Trick, who led off the frame with a base hit, followed by a two-run blast to left field by Danny Sullivan, giving GWU a 4-2 advantage.
The Runnin' Bulldogs would tack on another run in the bottom of the seventh on a RBI single by Trick.
Sullivan would hit his second two-run home run of the afternoon in the bottom of the eighth to set the score at 7-2. Sullivan now has a Big South Conference best ten home runs on the season.
Landon Mitchell (3-2) earned the win for the Runnin' Bulldogs, hurling 4.1 innings in relief, allowing no runs on just two base hits with three strikeouts. Starter Mason Fox lasted 2.1 innings, surrendering two runs on six base hits with one strikeout. Cooper Devine earned his first career save, tossing the final 2.1 inning, allowing no runs with only one hit.
Gardner-Webb had nine base hits throughout the game, with Sullivan (2-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2-runs), Chandler Redmond (2-for-4, 2 2B), and Trick (2-for-4, RBI, run) each producing multiple hits.
Zach Potojecki took the loss for Longwood, lasting 6.0 innings with four runs allowed on five hits, while striking out ten batters.
The Lancers had nine hits on the day, with Antwaun Tucker (3-for-4) leading that charge.
Gardner-Webb returns to action on Thursday evening at Charleston Southern, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:00 pm.
