RADFORD, Va. – Gardner-Webb outscored Radford by a 16-1 margin over the final five innings Thursday night to earn a 20-10 win in the lid-lifter of a key Big South Conference series.

Gardner-Webb (14-14, 2-5 Big South) snapped a five-game losing skid, scoring its most runs in a game since a 21-2 victory over Charleston Southern on April 23, 2016. Radford (10-14, 2-5 Big South) had 11 base hits on the evening, but committed five errors throughout the night.

The Diamond 'Dogs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, as Mickey Dugan launched a two-run blast over the center field fence. It was the third home run of the season for Dugan.

The Highlanders answered in the bottom half of the frame, claiming the lead on a three-run home run to right field by Spencer Horwitz.

Radford increased its lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the second on a solo home run to center field by Garrett Matheny.

GWU pulled back within one run in the top of the third inning on a RBI groundout by Justin Kunz, but the Highlanders responded with a solo blast to center field by Horwitz, his second long ball of the night to give Radford a 5-3 lead.

The 'Dogs once again pushed one run across in the top of the fourth, this time on a RBI single up the middle by Mason Fox to set the score at 5-4.

Radford looked to take control of the contest in the bottom half of the fourth, starting with a two-run home run by Kyle Butler, later followed by a RBI single by Straton Podaras and later Andrew Szamski would score from third base as Podaras was attempting to steal second base. Radford would lead 9-4 as play headed to the fifth.

Gardner-Webb sliced into the Radford lead in the fifth as Chris Clary belted a two run shot over the left field wall, his third home run of 2018 to set the score at 9-6.

The Diamond 'Dogs reclaimed the lead in the top of the sixth, scoring six runs. Dugan sent the first run home on a RBI single through the left side, later followed by a bases loaded walk by Corey Howard.

Another run scored on a RBI groundout by Brooks Veal, followed by back-to-back RBI hits, a two-run single by Clary and a one-run double by Taber Mongero to give GWU a 12-9 lead.

The Highlanders looked to reclaim the lead in bottom of the sixth, scoring once on a RBI triple by Szamski, but GWU reliever Tyler Johnson ended the frame by striking out Matt Roth.

GWU scored once in the seventh on a RBI double down the right field line by Eric Jones, and twice in the eighth as a four-base error by Radford center fielder Richard de la Cruz allowed Fox to round all the bases, giving the 'Dogs a 15-10 lead.

Gardner-Webb doubled its lead in the top of the ninth by scoring five runs, beginning with a two-run double to the left field gap by Patrick Price, followed by a fielding error by Butler to allow two more runs to cross the plate safely.

Jones would drive in the final run of the evening on a RBI single through the right side.

Gardner-Webb matched its season high with 17 base hits. Clary (3-for-5, HR, 4 RBI), Dugan (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI), Jones (3-for-7, 2B, 2 RBI) and Fox (3-for-6, RBI, 4 runs) each had three base hits on the evening to lead the team.

Radford had 11 hits throughout the evening, paced by Horwitz (2-for-3, 2 HR, 4 RBI).

Johnson (1-0) earned his first win of the season on the mound for GWU, allowing one run on three hits with three strikeouts in two innings of relief. Landon Mitchell allowed five runs on five hits in the first two innings, while Langdon Wilson followed, giving up four runs on two hits in three innings of work. Wil Sellers hurled two scoreless innings to wrap up the contest, allowing just one base hit while fanning one batter.

Austin Gerber (2-2) took the loss for the Highlanders, giving up eight runs, five earned, on six base hits in two innings of work. Starter Ryan Sande lasted three innings, allowing three runs on four hits with a pair of strikeouts. Kyle Palmer, Ryan Bywaters, and Cody Boone combined to work the final four innings, allowing nine runs, only one earned, on seven base hits.

Both teams will square off again tomorrow evening at 6:00 pm, with live coverage on the Big South Network (www.bigsouthsports.com)