SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Gardner-Webb scored runs in each of the first six innings to go on to take a 19-11 win over USC Upstate in Big South Conference action on Friday evening.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (11-11, 3-4 Big South) had its best offensive game of the 2019 season thus far with season highs in runs (19) and base hits (18). USC Upstate (11-14, 2-5 Big South) was held to 11 runs on 13 base hits.
Gardner-Webb got on the board early, scoring once in the top of the first on a solo home run by
Justin Kunz over the center field wall.
USC Upstate responded in the bottom of the inning, plating one run on a RBI double by J.J. Shimko to tie the game at 1-1.
The GWU offense erupted in the top of the sixth. With one away and the bases loaded,
Mitch McLendon connected with a two-run knock to center field, followed by a RBI single to the same spot by Kunz. Later in the frame,
Chandler Redmond sent a 2-2 pitch just over the right field wall to drive in three runs, giving the 'Dogs a 7-1 lead.
The Spartans scored twice in the bottom of the second, scoring on RBI singles by Stone Pellegrino and Andres Kim.
Gardner-Webb responded with four more runs in the top of the third, plating two on a triple by
Ben LaSpaluto and two more on the second home run of the bout by Kunz.
USC Upstate scored once in the bottom of the third on a solo home run by Garett Wallace.
GWU added one run in the fourth inning on a RBI single by
Chris Clary.
The Runnin' Bulldogs continued to expand their lead in the fifth, as Redmond belted a three-run shot over the right field wall, his second of the day and ninth of the season, to put GWU on top by 11 runs.
Gardner-Webb plated another two runs in the top of the sixth as an error by Upstate first baseman allowed two runs to score, putting GWU on top, 17-4.
The Spartans began to battle back in the bottom half of the inning, scoring five runs on a RBI walk by Jeff Taylor and a grand slam by Wallace, to trim their deficit to eight run at 17-9.
GWU pushed two runs across in the top of the eighth, one on a RBI groundout by Redmond and another as an error by Upstate third baseman Wallace allowed one run to reach home plate safely.
USC Upstate answered with one run in the bottom of the eighth, with Wallace scoring on a wild pitch by GWU reliever
Cody Dooley, and would score once more in the ninth on a sac fly by Taylor.
Kunz (5-for-5, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI), Redmond (4-for-5, 2B, 2 HR, 7 RBI), and LaSpaluto (3-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI) paced the Gardner-Webb offense.
Shimko (3-for-6, 2B, RBI) and Wallace (3-for-4, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI) led the Spartans at the plate.
Isaac Campbell (2-1) earned the win on the mound for the Runnin' Bulldogs, allowing three earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts in five innings of work. Dooley earned his second save of the year, tossing the final 3.2 innings, giving up three runs on six hits while fanning five batters.
Jordan Marks (2-4) took the loss for USC Upstate, allowing seven runs on six hits with a pair of strikeouts in two innings. The Spartans used a total of five pitchers on the evening.
The series continues tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 pm at Cleveland S. Harley Park.
