WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning go on to hand Gardner-Webb its first loss of the 2018 season, 8-4, in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader at David F. Couch Ballpark.

Gardner-Webb falls to 2-1 on the year while Wake Forest improves to 2-1 overall.
 
Trailing by a 4-0 score after four innings of play, the Gardner-Webb came alive in the top of the fifth.  Mason Fox led off the frame with an infield single, which was followed by Patrick Price reaching on a walk.  Taber Mongero then laid down a perfect bunt down the third base line to reach safely and load the bases.
 
Mickey Dugan drove home the first runs of the day for the Diamond 'Dogs on a base knock to right field, driving in Fox and Price.  Corey Howard would drive in Mongero on the following at-bat, sending the ball just outside the reach of Wake Forest second baseman Jake Mueller. 
 
Dugan later scored on a wild pitch with one out to tie the game at 4-4.
 
After retiring the side in the bottom of the fifth, GWU threatened to score again in the top of the sixth.  Luke Kaesmeyer reached on a walk to lead off the inning, and with two outs, Mongero sent a missile into left field that would one-hop over the outfield wall for a ground-rule double.  The 'Dogs were unable to capitalize, as Dugan struck out to end the frame.
 
The Deacs seized control of the game in the bottom half of the inning, plating four runs on three base hits, including a three-run home run by Christian Long, which was immediately followed by a solo blast by DJ Poteet.
 
Gardner-Webb was unable to regain any momentum offensively, as they did not have a single base runner in any of the remaining innings.
 
Mongero had two of Gardner-Webb's five base hits for the game, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run.  Dugan was 1-for-3 with two RBI, while Howard went 1-for-4 with one RBI.   Fox had GWU's remaining hit, going 1-for-4 at the plate.
 
Wake Forest had nine base hits, led by Long, who was 3-for-4 with a double, home run, and three RBI.
 
Landon Mitchell (0-1) was saddled with the loss for GWU, tossing 5.1 innings, allowing four runs on four base hits with three strikeouts.  Wil Sellers tossed 0.2 innings of relief, giving up three runs on three hits with one strikeout.  Jordan Hampton and Noah Davis each tossed one scoreless inning in their collegiate debuts to conclude the game.
 
Collin Peluse (1-0) earned the win for the Demon Deacons, allowing three earned runs on five base hits in 6.0 innings, including seven strikeouts.  Bobby Hearn earned the save, tossing the final three innings, giving up no hits with four strikeouts.