BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. –
Chandler Redmond belted a three-run home run in the first inning to propel Gardner-Webb to a 6-3 victory over Big South Conference foe Liberty on Saturday afternoon.
Gardner-Webb (12-8, 1-1 Big South) scored six runs on nine base hits, while Liberty (10-8, 1-1 Big South) managed just three runs on 11 hits, stranding 12 base runners throughout the tilt.
The Diamond 'Dogs wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. With two outs in the bottom of the first inning, back-to-back knocks by
Justin Kunz and
Eric Jones set up a three-run blast by Redmond that was sent into the trees beyond the left field fence.
It was the second home run for Redmond in as many days and his seventh of the 2018 season.
The Flames scored once in the top of the second inning on a base hit through the left side by Trey McDyre to set the score at 3-1.
Neither team would again until the eighth inning. Liberty pulled within one run of Gardner-Webb's lead on a RBI double to right field by McDyre, but GWU answered in the bottom half of the frame.
Taber Mongero led off the bottom of the eighth by reaching on a walk and advanced into scoring position after a sacrifice bunt by
Corey Howard. Kunz was then hit by a pitch, putting runners on first and second with one out for Jones, who uncorked a double down the left field line that scored Mongero.
Mickey Dugan drove in two more insurance runs with two outs, belting a single to the right field gap to score both Kunz and Jones, giving Gardner-Webb a 6-2 edge after eight innings.
Liberty scored once in the top of the ninth on a RBI single to right field with two outs by Jonahthan Embry off of GWU reliever
Jarrett Thompson, the first run that Thompson has allowed all season. Thompson would end the game on the following at-bat, fanning Tyler Galazin to give the 'Dogs their first league win of the year.
Gardner-Webb had four batters with a pair of hits on the day, led by Dugan (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Jones (2-for-4, 2B, RBI), Kunz (2-for-3, 2 runs), and Fox (2-for-4, 2B).
Galazin was 4-of-5 at the plate for the Flames, scoring twice.
Bradley Hallman (3-2) earned the win on the mound for the Diamond 'Dogs, scattering six base hits in six inning of work while allowing one unearned run. The senior right-hander also struck out a season-high seven batters.
Wil Sellers worked two innings in relief, allowing one run on four hits, while Thompson hurled the ninth, giving up one run on one base hit with a pair of strikeouts.
Jackson Bertsch (1-2) took the loss for the Flames, allowing four runs on seven hits in 7.1 innings. Garret Price recorded the final two outs for Liberty, giving up a pair of runs on two hits.
Both squads will meet tomorrow afternoon in the series finale, with the first pitch set for 2:00 pm.
