SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Chris Clary and Eric Jones each drove in a pair of runs on the day, lifting Gardner-Webb past USC Upstate, 9-7, in Sunday's Big South series finale.
 
With the win, Gardner-Webb (13-11, 5-4 Big South) completed the weekend series sweep of USC Upstate (11-16, 2-7 Big South), the first Big South Conference series sweep by the Runnin' Bulldogs of the season.
 
Gardner-Webb pounced on the Spartans immediately, scoring four runs in the top of the first inning.  Eric Jones sent two runs home on a base hit to left field, while one run scored on a sacrifice fly by Colton Sakamoto, followed by a RBI double by Chris Clary.
 
USC Upstate answered in the bottom half of the first.  A fielding error by GWU second baseman Ben Rowdon allowed two runs to score, followed by a two run single up the middle by Stone Stephenson to tie the game.  Davis Wilber would ground into a fielder's choice, allowing one more run to score to give USC Upstate a 5-4 lead after one inning.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs reclaimed the lead in the top of the third inning, tying the game on Clary's second RBI double of the day, followed by a wild pitch that allowed Sakamoto to cross home plate safely and a sac fly by Justin Kunz, setting the score at 7-5.
 
GWU added two more runs to its lead in the top of the fifth, as an error by USC Upstate left fielder Jeff Taylor allowed Mitch McLendon to score, and later Chandler Redmond connected with a RBI knock to left field, putting the 'Dogs on top by a 9-5 margin.
 
The Spartans trimmed their deficit in half in the bottom of the seventh inning, scoring one run on a RBI double to left field by J.J. Shimko, followed by a groundout by Garett Wallace that drove in one to put the score at 9-7.
 
Gardner-Webb totaled 14 base hits on the day, with Rowdon (3-for-5), Clary (2-for-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI), Jones (2-for-3, 2 RBI), McLendon (2-for-4), and Redmond (2-for-4, RBI) each collecting multiple hits on the day.
 
USC Upstate had 11 hits, led by Shimko (2-for-4, 2B, RBI).
 
Kyle Ruehlman (3-1) earned the win for the Runnin' Bulldogs, allowing five earned runs on nine hits with six strikeouts in six innings on the start.  Jarrett Thompson tossed the final three innings, scattering two base hits to earn his sixth save of the season.
 
Will Wheeler (2-1) took the loss for the Spartans, allowing one earned run on three hits in two innings of work from the bullpen.  Starter Kyle Schmitt recorded just two outs, allowing four runs on three hits with one strikeout.
 
Gardner-Webb returns to action Wednesday evening, hosting Davidson at 6:00 pm at Keeter Stadium in Shelby, N.C..