BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Gardner-Webb hit four home runs in Saturday's nightcap, but High Point connected with five long balls to take a 13-8 decision.
Gardner-Webb (21-17, 7-8 Big South) totaled seven extra base hits throughout the contest, while High Point (20-15, 11-4 Big South) had seven extra base hits of their own.
The Panthers plated three runs in the second inning on a solo home run by Tanner Wells, later followed by a two-run shot to center field by Spencer Brown.
HPU added an additional three runs in the top of the third on a three-run home run to left field by Carson Jackson.
High Point expanded its lead to 8-0 in the fourth, scoring once on a RBI single by Travis Holt and later a passed ball allowed Austin Zente to cross home plate safely.
The Diamond 'Dogs rallied in the bottom of the fourth, slicing HPU's lead in half.
With one out,
Luke Kaesmeyer singled to center field to set up a two-run blast off of the batters eye in dead center field by
Chris Clary, his seventh home run of the season.
Later,
Taber Mongero reached on a base knock to left field, followed by a two-run home run to right field by
Chandler Redmond, his team-leading tenth home run of the year, setting the score at 8-4.
GWU pulled within two runs at 8-6 over the next two innings
In the bottom of the fifth,
Mickey Dugan led off with a home run to left field, his seventh of the season.
Clary led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo blast over the left field wall, his second home run of the contest and eighth of the year.
High Point reclaimed control of the bout in the top of the seventh, scoring four runs on a RBI double by Blake Schunk, followed by a three-run home run by Conner Dunbar.
HPU scored once more in the eighth on a solo home run by Lee to lead by a 13-6 score.
GWU finished the game by scoring a run in each of the eighth and ninth innings to set the final score at 13-8.
High Point had 15 base hits in the game, led by Dunbar (2-for-4, HR, 3 RBI) and Schunk (3-for-5, 2B, RBI).
Gardner-Webb tallied 15 base knocks, with Clary (4-for-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI) doing the majority of the damage.
Matt Hodges (1-0) earned the win for the Panthers, working 3.0 innings, allowing just one run on three hits with four strikeouts. Starter Grey Lyttle lasted 4.0 innings, allowing five runs on seven base hits while fanning two batters.
Mason Fox (3-5) took the loss for the 'Dogs, allowing six runs on six hits in 3.0 innings with a pair of strikeouts.
Gardner-Webb returns to action this Wednesday evening, hosting Furman at 6:00 pm.
