BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb won its 2020 home opener Friday afternoon, whipping Belmont Abbey by a 6-1 score in front of friendly audience.

"We will enjoy this until 9:30 am until we reload and take on St. Bonaventure." said head coach Mike Griffith, "Great to get a win in this young season, and Belmont Abbey made us compete to do it."

The afternoon started with a sweep in the matches for the Runnin' Bulldogs to secure the doubles point. First, Victor Putter and Stefano Puga won the #3 position matchup 6-0.

Shortly following the conclusion of that match, the #1s wrapped up with Breno Plentz and Ross Gilbert winning 6-1.

The last match to conclude was Sebastian Harris and Alex Griffiths winning 6-4 in the #2 doubles position.

Gardner-Webb won the first four matches in singles. Harris was able to win the first match of the day in the #4 position 6-1, 6-1. Following this match, Gilbert won his match 6-1, 6-3 in the #1 position.

The Runnin' Bulldogs clinched the match from the #5 singles match when Puga defeated Roberts 6-3, 6-1.

Jacob Wall made his career singles debut in the #6 singles match with a victory 6-3, 6-2.

Belmont-Abbey won a point from the #2 singles position in a close match over Putter, 2-6, 6-3, 10-1.

The day concluded with the singles #3 matchup Griffiths winning 6-1, 6-1.

The win puts Gardner-Webb at 1-5 on the season.

Next up for the Runnin' Bulldogs are two away matches hosted at Virginia Tech tomorrow. The day kicks off with a match against St. Bonaventure at 9:30 am. The second match is against the host, Virginia Tech, with a scheduled start time of 4:30 pm.