SHELBY, N.C. – Gardner-Webb baseball kicked off the 2019 season with excitement, as the Runnin' Bulldogs defeated Navy, 3-2, in ten innings on a walkoff hit to right field by Mitch McLendon.
 
After taking a 1-0 lead into the top of the ninth, Gardner-Webb (1-0) surrendered the tying run to Navy (1-0) on a RBI single by Liam Lowery with one out.  The Midshipmen loaded the bases in the following at bat, but reliever Jarrett Thompson recorded the next two outs to get the 'Dogs out of the jam.
 
Navy once again loaded the bases in the top of the tenth with two outs, and would push one run across the board on a bases-loaded walk by Lowery, giving the Midshipmen a 2-1 edge.
 
GWU began to fight back immediately in the bottom of the tenth with a leadoff single by Justin Kunz, followed by a walk by Chandler Redmond to put the tying run in scoring position.
 
Corey Howard grounded into a fielder's choice to put the tying run on third base with one out, which was promptly followed by a RBI base knock to left field by JP McGuire to square the score at 2-2.
 
That brought McLendon to the plate, who belted a single to right field that allowed Howard to cross the plate safely from second base to give the Diamond 'Dogs the walkoff victory.
 
McLendon had a pair of GWU's seven base hits in his first game as a Runnin' Bulldog, going 2-for-5 with one RBI.  Redmond went 1-for-4 on the day, producing the first run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning on a solo home run well pas the left field fence. Kunz (1-for-4), Howard (1-for-5), McGuire (1-for-1) and Taber Mongero (1-for-3) produced Gardner-Webb's remaining hits.
 
Navy had eight base hits throughout the evening, with Lowery (1-for-4, 2 RBI) being responsible for both of the team's runs.
 
Aaron Stewart (1-0) earned the win on the mound for the 'Dogs, working 0.2 innings with one strikeout.  Isaac Campbell was efficient in the start, hurling 7.0 scoreless innings, allowing just one base hit with three strikeouts.  Langdon Wilson (0.2 IP, 2 H), Thompson (1.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 H), and Noah Davis (0.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 H) also saw work for GWU.
 
Trent Topping was saddled with the loss for Navy, allowing two earned runs on two base hits in 1.1 innings of work.  Starter Noah Song had an effective outing in the no decision, as the national player of the year candidate fanned 12 batters, allowing no runs on three base hits in 5.2 innings.  Jack Ferguson (2.1 IP, 1 ER, 1 H) and Sante Grosse (0.0 IP, 1 H) also made appearances.
 
Both teams will square off again tomorrow afternoon as the three-game series continues.  The first pitch is slated for 2:00 pm at Shelby's Keeter Stadium