JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – Gardner-Webb allowed eight runs in the first two innings of play as the Runnin' Bulldogs would drop a 15-6 decision at Jacksonville State on Sunday afternoon.
 
Gardner-Webb (6-5) fell behind early to Jacksonville State (5-5), with the Gamecocks plating runs on a wild pitch and a RBI single by Alex Webb in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs answered in the top of the second inning.  With two outs, Ben Rowdon reached on a base hit to left field, setting up a two-run blast to left field by Luke Wood to tie the game.  It was the first home run of Wood's collegiate career.
 
JSU took control of the contest in the bottom of the second, sending 12 batters to the plate to score six runs on four hits, including a pair of RBI doubles.
 
Gardner-Webb scored twice more in the top of the fifth on back-to-back RBI groundouts by Mitch McLendon and Cam Pearcey to set the score at 8-4, but Jacksonville State scored solo runs in the fifth and sixth innings before sealing the game in the bottom of the seventh by putting up five runs.
 
GWU plated two runs in the top of the eighth as an error allowed pinch runner Haiden Hunt to score, later followed by a RBI double to center field by Rowdon.
 
Noah Davis (0-2) took the loss for GWU, giving up seven runs on seven hits in 1.1 innings of work with one strikeout.  Gardner-Webb used a total of seven pitchers on the afternoon, with freshman Grey LaSpaluto getting the majority of the work, hurling 3.1 innings, allowing one run on three hits while fanning two batters.
 
Michael Gilliland (1-0) earned the win for the Gamecocks, tossing five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts in the start.
 
Gardner-Webb totaled 10 base hits on the afternoon, with Rowdon (2-for-4, 2B, RBI), Ben LaSpaluto (2-for-4, 2B), Carter Cunningham (2-for-4), and JP McGuire (2-for-4) each having multiple-hit outings.
 
Jacksonville state racked up 14 base hits, paced by Andrew Naismith, who was 5-for-6 with three doubles and three RBI.
 
Gardner-Webb returns home for its next contest, hosting Ball State in midweek action on Wednesday, March 4 at 6:00 pm.  The first pitch is slated for 6:00 pm from Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium with live coverage on ESPN+.