WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb offense exploded for double-digit runs and hits for the second consecutive day, as the Runnin' Bulldogs defeated Georgetown by a 15-1 score in a rain-shortened five-inning game on Saturday afternoon at David F. Couch Ballpark at Wake Forest University.
Gardner-Webb (2-0) scored 15 runs on 13 base hits, while holding Georgetown (0-2) to just one run on three base hits.
The Diamond 'Dogs struck early, pushing three runs across the plate in the top of the first inning.
Corey Howard reached on a base hit to center field with one away and advanced to second on a wild pitch and then third on a passed ball. Another wild pitch, that also put
Justin Kunz on base, allowed Howard to score the game's first run.
That was followed by a RBI triple to the right field gap by
Chandler Redmond to score Kunz, and a RBI single to right field by
Eric Jones to give GWU the early 3-0 edge.
Georgetown answered with a run in the bottom half of the first on a RBI double by Ryan Weisenberg that scored John Simourian, who reached earlier on an infield single.
The Hoyas threatened to score in the bottom of the third inning, loading the bases on a pair of walks and a fielding error with two outs, but GWU was able to get of the jam by getting Michael DeRenzi to ground into a force out at second base.
Gardner-Webb seized control of the game in the top of the fourth with an eight-run outburst. GWU loaded the bases with no outs to set up an RBI single through the right side by Howard.
Kunz reached on a RBI walk, and two runs would score on wild pitches to set the score at 7-1 with one out in the frame.
Jones followed with his second RBI single of the day, and
Mason Fox would later hit a triple to the right field gap to plate two runs with two away. Another wild pitch would allow Fox to score the final run of the inning, giving the 'Dogs an 11-1 lead.
Georgetown again loaded the bases in the fourth inning, Alex Bernaurer led off the frame with a double to left field and Austin Shirley was hit by a pitch to put two on with no outs. After a strikeout and fly out, Sammy Stevens reached on a walk to jam the bases with two outs, but
Isaac Campbell would fan Weisenburg to record his fifth strikeout of the day and escape the inning.
GWU added four more runs in the top of the fifth inning. Jones drove in his third run of the day on a deep fly out to center field, and
Patrick Price would fly out deep into left field to plate Redmond.
That brought Fox to the plate, connected with a two-run blast to right field, his first home run of the season, to set the score at 15-1 in Gardner-Webb's favor.
Carey Spratlin came in to toss the bottom of the fifth inning, and recorded three quick outs, including a pair of strikeouts, to end the frame.
The game was then called due to deteriorating field conditions.
Gardner-Webb had five players collect multiple hits on the day, led by Fox (2-for-3, 3B, HR, 4 RBI), Redmond (2-for-3, 3B, RBI), and Jones (2-for-3, 3 RBI).
Taber Mongero went 2-for-2 in his first collegiate start, and was also walked twice. GWU batters drew 12 walks on the day, led by Kunz with three.
Georgetown had just three hits on the day, led by Weisenberg (1-for-2, 2B, RBI).
Campbell (1-0) earned the win for the 'Dogs, tossing 4.0 innings with five strikeouts.
Owen Lamon (0-1) took the loss for the Hoyas, allowing seven runs on eight hits in 3.0 innings of work with one strikeout.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will wrap up the weekend by taking on Wake Forest in a doubleheader beginning Sunday afternoon at 2:00 pm. Both games will be broadcast on ACC Network Extra (WatchESPN.com).
