WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Gardner-Webb scored runs in each of the first four innings to go on to defeat Wake Forest by a score of 6-3 in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader at David F. Couch Ballpark.
With the win, Gardner-Webb (3-1) earned its first win over an ACC opponent since a 7-4 win at North Carolina on March 14, 2013, and its first over Wake Forest (2-2) since a 3-2 win on March 17, 2010
Gardner-Webb wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, sending two runs across on a double to the left field gap by
Eric Jones with two outs in the top of the first.
Wake Forest answered immediately, scoring once in the bottom half of the inning on a sacrifice fly to deep center field by Johnny Aiello that allowed Patrick Frick to easily reach home.
The Diamond 'Dogs added one run in the top of the second as
Taber Mongero reached home on throwing error by Wake Forest catcher Logan Harvey. Mongero led off the inning by reaching on an error by first baseman Bobby Seymour that allowed him to reach second base.
The Demon Deacons pulled back within one run in the bottom of the second on a RBI single through the left side by Patrick Frick, plating Harvey who led off with a double to center field.
Both teams would score solo runs again in the third inning. GWU scored on a RBI double to deep left field by
Mason Fox, and Wake Forest answered as Seymour drove in Jake Mueller, who led off with a triple down the right field line, on a fielder's choice.
Gardner-Webb would go up by two runs again in the top of the fourth inning as
Chris Clary led off the frame with a home run just inside the left field line, his first collegiate home run.
WFU was unable to produce any offense for the first time in the nightcap in the bottom half of the inning, as
Bradley Hallman drew a lead-off ground out and fanned a pair of batters to retire the side.
GWU threatened to increase its lead in the top of the sixth, loading the bases with one out, but Wake Forest reliever Tyler Witt was able to get out of the jam by striking out
Corey Howard and getting
Justin Kunz to ground into a fielder's choice to end the frame.
The Demon Deacons put a runner on third base with no outs in the bottom of the sixth as Long reached on a walk by reliever
Aaron Stewart, and advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches. Gardner-Webb would send
Jarrett Thompson to the mound, who struck out the first two batters he faced, and would end the inning by fooling Frick, getting him to swing and miss to earn his third strikeout.
The 'Dogs added a run in the top of the seventh as Fox, who reached on a fielder's choice, scored on wild pitch by Rayne Supple.
Thompson (1-0) was awarded the win for Gardner-Webb, tossing four scoreless innings while only giving up two base hits with seven strikeouts. Hallman lasted 4.2 innings in the no decision, allowing three runs on three hits with five strikeouts.
Jared Shuster (0-1) took the loss for Wake Forest, allowing four runs on five base hits with four strikeouts.
GWU had ten base hits on the evening, with Clary (3-for-4, HR, RBI) and
Chandler Redmond (3-for-5, run) pacing the team.
Wake Forest had six base hits throughout the game.
Gardner-Webb returns to action on Thursday evening for its home opener, hosting Siena at 5:00 pm. The game will be broadcast live on the Big South Network (www.bigsouthsports.com).
