DURHAM, N.C. – Gardner-Webb managed just four base hits while going on to drop a 9-0 decision to UMass Lowell at Duke University's Jack Coombs Field on Tuesday afternoon.
Gardner-Webb (10-7) was shut out for the second straight game, while UMass Lowell (6-8) held the Diamond 'Dogs to their lowest hit total of the 2018 season.
GWU looked to score early with
Taber Mongero leading off the contest by drawing a walk, then advancing to second base on a wild pitch with no outs.
Corey Howard would ground out in the following at-bat to move Mongero to third base with one out, but a fly ball to shallow right field by
Justin Kunz would not be deep enough to plate Mongero, and a fly out by
Eric Jones would end the top half of the first inning.
The River Hawks would strike in the bottom of the first. Vinnie Martin led off with a base knock to center field, and moved over to third base on a pair of wild pitches. The 'Dogs would record two outs before Colby Maiola connected with a double to left field to drive Martin home.
The Diamond 'Dogs would once again place a runner on third base with one away in the top of the second.
Mickey Dugan connected with the first hit of the day for GWU to right field, and would steal second base and advance to third on a balk to give the 'Dogs another prime scoring opportunity. Again, Gardner-Webb would be unable to capitalize, recording two straight outs to end the inning.
UMass Lowell pushed its lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third, scoring the first run when Maiola was hit by a pitch from
Noah Davis with the bases loaded. Cam Climo scored the second run on a RBI single through the left side on the following at bat, all with no outs.
Carey Spratlin would replace Davis on the mound and would escape the jam to end the inning.
The River Hawks put the game out of reach in the fifth inning, plating four runs. The first run came across on a wild pitch from GWU reliever
Tyler Johnson that allowed Olive to reach home plate safely, followed by back-to-back doubles from John Polichetti and Ben Prada to drive in three additional runs.
UMass Lowell added one more run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Maiola to set the score at 9-0.
Martin led the River Hawks at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a double and scoring three runs.
The Diamond 'Dogs were led by
Mickey Dugan (2-for-3), who had half of the team's base hits on the day.
Connor Metelski (1-0) earned the win for UMass Lowell, scattering three base hits in 7.1 innings of work with four strikeouts. Brian Dolan (0.2 IP, 1K) and Matt O'Connor (1.0 IP, 2 K) each made relief appearances.
Davis (0-1) was saddled with the loss, allowing three runs on five hits with a pair of strikeouts in two innings. Spratlin gave up a pair of runs on one hit in 2.2 innings of relief, while Johnson allowed three runs on three hits with six strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work.
Zach Duncan worked the final frame, allowing a run on two hits.
Gardner-Webb will travel just ten miles along U.S. Highway 15-501 for its next contest tomorrow afternoon at North Carolina. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 pm from Boshamer Stadium with live coverage on ACC Network Extra (WatchESPN.com).
