CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Gardner-Webb held a 5-4 lead midway through the third inning, but the Tar Heels were too much for the Runnin' Bulldogs, as North Carolina took a 13-6 decision in midweek action Tuesday afternoon at Boshamer Stadium.
Gardner-Webb (8-8) took an immediate 1-0 lead, with
Mitch McLendon drilling a double to right field, plating
Cam Pearcey, who led off the game by drawing a walk, in the top of the first inning.
North Carolina (11-7) quickly tied the game on a solo home run by Aaron Sabato, and would take the lead on a RBI double by Joey Lancellotti. One more run would score in the bottom of the first to give the Tar Heels a 3-1 lead.
UNC added one more run to its lead in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Angel Zarate.
The Diamond 'Dogs battled back in the top of the third inning. With one out, back-to-back base hits by Pearcey and McLendon, and a four-pitch walk drawn by
Carter Cunningham loaded the bases. That set up a RBI single to center field by
Joe Brazil, followed by a three-run double to the right field gap off the bat of
Keiji Parkhurst to give GWU a 5-4 lead.
The Heels responded in the bottom half of the third, reclaiming the lead on back-to-back sacrifice flies by Mikey Madej and Patrick Alvarez.
North Carolina effectively sealed the contest in the fifth inning, leading the frame off with a home run by Dallas Tessar, sparking a five-run inning.
Gardner-Webb scored once more in the sixth on a RBI groundout by
Ben LaSpaluto, while the Tar Heels added runs in the seventh and eighth innings.
Nik Pry (3-2) earned the win on the mound for UNC, allowing one run on a pair of base hits in three innings of relief work. Starter Michael Oh lasted 2.1 innings, giving up four runs on three hits with a pair of strikeouts. Gage Gillian tossed the final three innings, allowing no runs to earn his first save of the season.
Matt Rivers (0-1) took the loss for the Runnin' Bulldogs, allowing four runs (two earned) on four base hits with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings from the bullpen. Starter
Eric Jones went one inning, giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits with one strikeout.
North Carolina collected 13 hits, with Zarate (2-for-3, 3 RBI) and Sabato (2-for-3, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) doing the most damage.
The Runnin' Bulldogs totaled 10 base hits, paced by McLendon, who was 4-for-5 with a double and one RBI.
Gardner-Webb returns home to Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium this weekend, opening Big South Conference play against UNC Asheville. Friday's game is set for a 6:00 pm first pitch, while Saturday's game will begin at 4:00 pm and Sunday's series finale will begin at 2:00 pm.
