SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Gardner-Webb gave up three runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to go on to fall to Wofford by a 7-5 score in the series finale at Russell C. King Field on Sunday afternoon.
Gardner-Webb (7-5) dropped all three games this weekend to the Terriers (10-6), the first losing streak of the season for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
The Runnin' Bulldogs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first as a RBI single by
Justin Kunz scored
Ben Rowdon.
Wofford tied the bout in the bottom of the third on a fielder's choice by Collin Davis.
GWU reclaimed the lead in the top of the fourth on a RBI single by
Colton Sakamoto, sending
Mitch McLendon, who led off the frame with an infield single, across the plate.
The 'Dogs added two more runs in the fifth, plating a run on a RBI double by
Corey Howard to the right field gap and later on a sacrifice fly by McLendon.
Gardner-Webb pushed its lead to 5-1 in the top of the sixth on a RBI single by Kunz.
Wofford began to fight back in the bottom of the sixth inning, pulling within one run on a three-run home run by Matty Brown.
The Terriers would take the lead in the bottom of the seventh, scoring on RBI single by Davis to tie the game, followed by back-to-back RBI singles by Hudson Byorick and John Dempsey to take a 7-5 advantage.
Gardner-Webb totaled 12 base hits throughout the day, led by Kunz, who was 3-for-5 with two RBI. Rowdon (2-for-5, 2B) and
Colton Sakamoto (2-for-3, RBI) also had multiple hits for GWU.
The Terriers collected 11 base knocks Sunday, paced by Andrew Orzel (3-for-5) and Matty Brown (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI).
Langdon Wilson (2-2) took the loss on the mound for the 'Dogs, allowing two runs on two hits while recording no outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Kyle Ruehlman lasted six innings in the start, giving up four runs, three earned, on six base hits with a pair of strikeouts.
Jarrett Thompson record the last six outs for GWU, allowing one unearned run on three hits while fanning one batter.
Rasesh Pandya (1-0) earned the win for Wofford, working 2.1 scoreless innings from the bullpen, allowing just one base hit with one strikeout. Starter Cameron Bloodworth lasted 4.2 innings, surrendering four runs, three earned, on eight base hits with three strikeouts. Anthony Garcia worked one inning, giving up a run on three hits while fanning one batter, and Reese Maniscalco tossed the final frame, allowing no hits with a pair of strikeouts to record his fourth save of 2019.
Gardner-Webb returns to action Tuesday afternoon at North Carolina. The first pitch is slated for 3:00 pm, with live coverage on ACC Network Extra.
