GAFFNEY, S.C. – Gardner-Webb plated five runs in the eighth inning to go on to claim an 11-9 win at Limestone on Wednesday evening.
With the win, Gardner-Webb improves to 5-1 overall, while Limestone drops to 3-12 on the year.
Trailing 7-6 after seven innings, the Runnin' Bulldogs rattled off five straight base hits to lead off the eighth, scoring four times to reclaim the lead at 10-7. GWU scored once more in the frame as
Chandler Redmond reached home safely after a wild pitch by Limestone reliever Alex Grooms, giving the 'Dogs an 11-7 edge.
The Saints attempted to spark a rally in the bottom of the eighth, scoring a pair of runs with two outs, but Gardner-Webb would put in reliever
Aaron Stewart to stop the comeback effort, recording the final out of the inning.
GWU stifled the Limestone bats in the bottom of the ninth with closer
Jarrett Thompson allowing no hits to seal the contest.
Limestone jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a three-run home run by Chase Allen, later followed by a RBI fielder's choice by Tyler O'Dell.
GWU began chipping away at Limestone's lead in the top of the second, scoring twice on a base hit by
Taber Mongero, and once more in the top of the third on a wild pitch, pulling within one run at 4-3.
The 'Dogs tied the game in the top of the fourth inning, as a passed ball allowed
Chris Clary to safely score.
Gardner-Webb took its first lead of the night in the top of the sixth inning when
Justin Kunz belted a two-run blast over the right field fence, his second home run in as many games, to give GWU a 6-4 lead.
Limestone answered in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring two runs on a double by Matt Hilderbrandt, who later gave the Saints the lead once again at 7-6 by scoring on an error by GWU right fielder
Mitch McLendon.
The Runnin' Bulldogs has a season-best 13 base hits on the evening, led by Howard who was 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI. Kunz finished the game with a 2-for-5 effort, driving in three runs with a double and a home run. Mongero (2-for-5, 2 RBI) and
Ben LaSpaluto (2-for-3) also had multiple-hits on the night.
The Saints tallied 11 base knocks, with Allen (2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI) leading that effort.
Langdon Wilson (2-1) earned the win for GWU, allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts in 0.2 innings of relief work.
Noah Davis lasted 4.2 innings in his first start of the season, allowing four runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts. Thompson worked the final frame to record his third save of 2019.
Jordan Adcox was saddled with the loss for Limestone, allowing four runs on four base hits while recording no outs in the top of the eighth. Starter Justin Greider lasted three innings, giving up three runs on four hits with two strikeouts.
Gardner-Webb returns to action Friday evening, taking on Appalachian State at BB&T Ballpark in Charlotte, N.C. First pitch is set for 7:05 pm.
