CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Gardner-Webb surrendered seven runs in the fifth inning as No. 15 North Carolina handed the Runnin' Bulldogs an 18-8 loss in non-conference midweek action at Boshamer Stadium.
 
Gardner-Webb (7-6) clamed a 3-2 lead in the top of the third inning off of a bases-clearing double by Corey Howard.
 
The Tar Heels (13-4) reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the fourth, scoring once on a double by Danny Serretti, followed by a base knock by Brandon Martorano that allowed two more runners to cross home plate to give UNC a 5-3 edge.
 
GWU answered in the top of the fifth, loading the bases with no outs for JP McGuire who sent one run home on a sacrifice fly to deep center field.  That was immediately followed by a sac fly by Mitch McLendon to knot the contest at 5-5.
 
North Carolina seized control of the bout for good in the bottom half of the frame, immediately loading the bases to set up the go-ahead RBI walk for Martorano.  In all, the Tar Heels scored seven runs in the inning, with the majority of the damage coming from the bat of Ike Freeman, who connected with a three-run double.
 
Gardner-Webb scored a pair of runs in the top of the sixth on a RBI single by Chandler Redmond, followed by a passed ball that allowed Howard to safely cross home plate, and would score once more in the eighth on a solo home run by Justin Kunz, but UNC plated an additional six runs over their final three at-bats of the game.
 
North Carolina totaled 20 base hits on the day, paced by Serretti, who was 5-for-5 with three doubles and two RBI.  In all, the Tar Heels had six extra-base hits, including six doubles and a solo home run by Jackson Hesterlee.
 
GWU tallied 12 hits throughout the Tuesday's game, led by Kunz (3-for-5, HR, RBI) and Howard (3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI)
 
Josh Dotson (1-0) earned the win on the mound for UNC, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings, allowing just one base hit with one strikeout.  Starter Will Sandy went 2.1 innings, giving up three runs on four hits with two strikeouts.  The Heels used eight arms throughout the game.
 
Langdon Wilson (2-3) took the loss for Gardner-Webb, allowing four earned runs on a pair of base hits in one inning of relief.  Starter Noah Davis lasted three innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on seven base hits with a pair of strikeouts.  In all, GWU used a total of seven pitchers on the day.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs open Big South Conference play this weekend, hosting Longwood at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C.  The three-game series begins Friday afternoon at 12:30 pm.