BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Mitch McLendon ripped a single to right field with no outs in the bottom of the ninth to send the game winning run across the plate, giving Gardner-Webb a 5-4 victory Saturday evening.
 
Tied 4-4 as play headed to the bottom of the ninth inning, Haiden Hunt led off the frame with an infield single and was quickly moved to third base on a base hit to right field by Cam Pearcey.  That set up the game-winning scenario for McLendon, who belted the first pitch he saw to right field to lift the GWU to victory.
 
Gardner-Webb (2-0) jumped out to a quick lead over Appalachian State (0-2), with Pearcey leading off the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run to left field, the first home run of the season for the Diamond 'Dogs.
 
The Mountaineers answered in the top of the second with a solo home run to right field by Andrew Greckel.
 
App State increased its lead in the top of the fifth inning.  With two runners on base, Jack Lipson hit a ground-rule double to drive one run in, and Luke Allison sent one run across the plate on a sacrifice fly to set the score at 3-1.
 
GWU tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with Pearcey and McLendon each drawing bases-loaded walks from Appalachian State reliever Austin Primm.
 
The Mountaineers reclaimed the lead in the top of the eighth on a double by Luke Drumheller, but Gardner-Webb answered in the bottom half of the frame.  Davis Balentine led off with a solid single to right field, followed by a base hit to deep center field by Joe Brazil, plating Balentine to tie the contest at 4-4.
 
Gardner-Webb totaled eight base hits on the evening, with Pearcey (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) leading that effort.
 
Appalachian State collected six hits, with Greckel leading the way with a 2-for-4 outing with one RBI.
 
Chase Lane (1-0) earned the win on the mound for the 'Dogs, working the final two innings, allowing no runs on one base hit with a pair of strikeouts.  Starter Isaac Campbell lasted 6.1 innings, giving up one earned run on five hits with six strikeouts.  Luke Wood recorded two outs in his collegiate debut, giving up one run.
 
Cam Roberts (0-1) was saddled with the loss for Appalachian State, allowing two runs on four hits in 1.1 innings of work.  Starter Shane Roberts went six innings, giving up one run on a pair of base hits while fanning two batters.
 
Saturday's win also saw Gardner-Webb head coach Jim Chester earn his 350th career win.  His career record currently stands at 350-256-2 in his 14^th season as a collegiate head coach.
 
Gardner-Webb will look to sweep the weekend series against the Mountaineers, with the finale taking place Sunday afternoon at Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium.  First pitch is set for 2:00 pm with live coverage on ESPN+.