SHELBY, N.C. – Gardner-Webb earned two wins over Navy on Sunday afternoon to go a perfect 3-0 for the first weekend of the 2019 season.
 
The two teams played the final four innings from Saturday's game that was delayed after five complete innings due to darkness, followed by Sunday's regularly scheduled nine inning game at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C.
 
Gardner-Webb took the first game by a 5-3 score, before blanking the Midshipmen, 1-0, in the series finale.
 
GAME ONE
 
Gardner-Webb plated a pair of runs in the seventh and one in the eight to propel the Diamond 'Dogs to a 5-3 win over Navy in a contest that had a delay of nearly 17 hours due to lighting issues Saturday evening at Keeter Stadium.
 
Trailing 3-2 as play headed to the bottom of the seventh, GWU took the lead for good on a two-RBI hit to right field by JP McGuire.
 
The 'Dogs tacked on an insurance run in the eighth on a RBI single to left field by Ben Rowdon.
 
Jarrett Thompson hurled the ninth for Gardner-Webb, coaxing three quick outs by the Midshipmen to earn his first save of the year.
 
The game began Saturday afternoon, with the 'Dogs going up 1-0 early on a sacrifice fly by Mitch McLendon in the bottom of the first.
 
Navy responded in the top of the second on a solo home run by Jacob Williamson, and would take the lead in the third on a RBI knock down the right field line by Liam Lowery.
 
GWU tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth as Davis Balentine belted a RBI double down the right field line.
 
The two team played one more inning before the skies were too dark to continue playing with issues with the stadium lights at Keeter Stadium, halting play after five innings.
 
Play resumed just after 11:00 am Saturday morning, with Navy taking a one-run lead in the top of the seventh on sacrifice fly by Evan Lowery.
 
Gardner-Webb had nine base hits for the game, paced by McGuire, who was 2-for-3 with two RBI.
 
Navy had seven hits, with Ryan Duffey (2-for-5) leading that effort.
 
Langdon Wilson earned the win for GWU, working 3.0 innings, allowing one run on one base hit with a pair of strikeouts.  Landon Mitchell tossed the first five innings of the game, giving up two runs on six base hits with six strikeouts.
 
Wilson Ayers took the loss for Navy, allowing two earned runs on four base hits with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work.  Starter Jared Leins lasted 5.0 innings, giving up a pair of runs on five hits with three strikeouts.
 
GAME TWO
 
A wild pitch in the bottom of the fifth allowed Taber Mongero to cross home plate safely, giving Gardner-Webb the lone run of the game as Gardner-Webb blanked Navy, 1-0, in the final game of the first weekend of the 2019 season.
 
Mongero led off the frame with a perfectly placed bunt to reach base safely, and quickly advanced to second base on a wild pitch by Navy's Charlie Connolly.  A sacrifice bunt by Chris Clary allowed Mongero to reach third base with one out, setting up the scoring situation for the 'Dogs.
 
Connolly then uncorked his second wild pitch of the day during the following at bat, allowing Mongero to score to give GWU a 1-0 lead.
 
Navy put a runner in scoring position in the sixth as Zach Biggers, who singled to lead off the inning, was able to reach second base after Jacob Williamson was hit by a pitch with two outs.  The Midshipmen were unable to capitalize, as Christian Policelli lined out GWU's Ben LaSpaluto as shortstop to end the frame, and Navy would not be able to put a runner in scoring position for the remainder of the contest.
 
Gardner-Webb collected five base knocks throughout the game, led by Mongero (2-for-3, Run) and McGuire (2-for-4, 2B).
 
Navy had six hits in the nightcap, led by Biggers with a 2-for-4 performance at the dish.
 
Kyle Ruehlman earned the win in his GWU debut on the mound, tossing seven scoreless frames with six base hits.  Cody Dooley worked the final two innings, keeping the Midshipmen at bay to record the save.
 
Connolly was saddled with the loss for Navy, allowing the game's only run on four hits in seven innings of work with four strikeouts.  Dalton Baker tossed one inning in relief, allowing one base hit with a two strikeouts.
 
Gardner-Webb returns to action Wednesday evening, hosting Furman at 5:30 pm at Keeter Stadium.