FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Gardner-Webb rapped out 11 hits Wednesday at SEGRA Stadium, but dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker in the first round of the 2019 Big South Conference Baseball Championship.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (25-25) left eight men on base and spoiled a stellar pitching performance by Landon Mitchell.

The junior righty went the distance, allowing just one earned run on five singles and one walk. The former East Forsyth (N.C.) High star fanned seven in the loss.

Ashby Smith gave Presbyterian a 1-0 lead in the first with an RBI single down the left field line. 

The lead remained intact until the fourth, when Mitch McLendon stroked a one out double to plate Corey Howard and tie the game. Howard led off the frame with a single to right.

Presbyterian took advantage of an error and a sacrifice fly in the sixth to go back in front, with Smith driving in the eventual winning run.

Gardner-Webb had runners in scoring position again in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings, but stranded those chances each time.

McLendon then led off the ninth with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt, but the Blue Hose would leave him on second base to end the game.

McLendon paced GWU at the plate, going 3-for-4. Big South Player of the Year Chandler Redmond finished the game 2-for-4, as did Howard.

Chris Clary (2-3) also had a pair of hits.

Presbyterian had just five singles in the game, with five different batters doing the damage. Blue Hose ace Eric Miles got the win, hurling 7.2 innings and pitching around 10 hits. He struck out seven and did not issue a walk.

Gardner-Webb will have no rest, as it plays an elimination game at 9 pm Wednesday night.