BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Landon Mitchell tossed six scoreless frames, while the Runnin' Bulldogs plated four runs in the bottom of the fourth to go on defeat Appalachian State, 5-1, in the 2020 season opener Friday night.
 
Neither team scratched until the bottom of the fourth when Ben LaSpaluto belted a single up the middle, plating a pair of runs.  That was followed by a double to the left field gap by Cam Pearcey, swapping places with LaSpaluto to give GWU a 3-0 lead.
 
The 'Dogs would score once more in the frame on a RBI knock through the left side by Eric Jones.
 
Gardner-Webb added to its lead in the bottom of the fifth.  With two outs, JP McGuire drew a walk on four straight balls, and scored on the following at bat as LaSpaluto reached on an error by Appalachian State right fielder Andrew Greckel, putting GWU on top by a 5-0 margin.
 
The Mountaineers were held off of the scoreboard until the ninth inning when a throwing error by Jones at third base allowed Hayden Cross to score after reaching on a base hit earlier in the inning.
 
Mitchell earned the win on the mound for the Runnin' Bulldogs, hurling a sharp six innings, scattering four base hits with four strikeouts and no runs allowed.  Tyler Harrison and Langdon Wilson each tossed a scoreless frame in relief, and Chase Lane worked the ninth, allowing one unearned run to score with one base hit.
 
Gardner-Webb had a total of 10 base hits on the night, led by Jones with a 2-for-3 outing with one RBI.
 
Tyler Tuthill took the loss for the Mountaineers, giving up four runs on six hits with four strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work.  Noah Hall tossed 2.1 innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits with five strikeouts.  Cole Hooper and Matthew Helms combined to work the final two frames.
 
Robbie Young led Appalachian State with a 2-for-3 outing including a double. The Mountaineers totaled six base knocks on the night.
 
The series resumes tomorrow at 4:00 pm from John Henry Moss Stadium, with live coverage on ESPN+.