BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – North Carolina A&T scored twice in the top of the ninth inning to hand Gardner-Webb a 4-2 loss Saturday afternoon at Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium.
Gardner-Webb falls to 4-2 overall while North Carolina A&T improves to 2-3 on the year.
With the score tied 2-2 as play headed to the ninth, Ryne Stanley led off by reaching on a four-pitch walk by GWU reliever
Chase Lane. Stanley was quickly moved into scoring position after a sacrifice bunt by Donte' Wade setting up the go-ahead RBI base knock by pinch hitter Connor Knapp.
The Aggies would score once more in the frame on a base knock through the left side by Dustin Baber, giving N.C. A&T a 4-2 lead.
Gardner-Webb was unable to rally in the bottom of the ninth, with Aggie reliever Ethan Gates fanning three batters to wrap up the contest.
North Carolina A&T jumped out to an initial 1-0 lead in the top of the second as Devin Bartley snuck a double down the left field line to plate Justin Rodriguez, who led off with a triple to the right field gap.
The Runnin' Bulldogs immediately answered in the bottom half of the inning, taking a 2-1 lead after a two-run knock to the left field gap by
Cam Pearcey.
Neither team scored again until the top of the sixth when Rodriguez plated one run on a RBI groundout with the bases loaded and one out to tie the game at 2-2.
Gates (1-0) earned the win on the mound for the Aggies, working two scoreless frames from the bullpen, fanning four batters and allowing no base hits. Starter Ethan Chavis lasted 5.2 innings, giving up a pair of runs on six base hits with six strikeouts. Leon Davidson also saw action, tossing 1.1 scoreless innings.
Lane (1-1) was saddled with the loss for the Runnin' Bulldogs, allowing two runs on four base hits in one inning of work. Starter
Isaac Campbell hurled 7.1 innings, giving up a pair of runs while scattering six base hits with ten strikeouts.
Tyler Harrison recorded two outs for the 'Dogs, allowing no runs or hits.
North Carolina A&T totaled ten base hits on the day, paced by Baber (3-for-5, 2B, RBI) and Camden Williamson (3-for-4).
Gardner-Webb collected six hits, with Pearcey (1-for-5, 2 RBI), Ben LaSpauto (1-for-3, 2B), and
Joe Brazil (1-for-5, 2B) leading that effort.
The Runnin' Bulldogs wrap up the weekend tomorrow afternoon against N.C. A&T at approximately 1:30 pm. Prior to that, the Aggies will face Delaware at Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium at 10:00 am.
