JONESBORO, Ark. – Gardner-Webb scored a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to take a 6-4 decision at Arkansas State on Friday evening.
 
With the score tied at 4-4 as play headed to the ninth, Gardner-Webb (8-5) led off the frame with a base hit by Mitch McLendon, and was scooted over to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Cam Pearcey.  That set up the go-ahead base hit by Joe Brazil, who sent a 2-0 pitch back up the middle to score McLendon.
 
GWU added an insurance run on a sacrifice fly by Keiji Parkhurst, taking a two-run lead to the bottom of the ninth
 
Arkansas State (5-8) looked to answer in the bottom of the ninth, but Gardner-Webb closer Chase Lane thwarted any comeback effort, retiring the side to seal the win for GWU.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning, scoring on a RBI groundout by Ben LaSpaluto and an error by ASU shortstop Karsen Reid that allowed Parkhurst to cross home plate.
 
The Red Wolves tied the game in the bottom of the fourth inning.  With runners on second and third with no outs, Will Huber sent one run across on a sacrifice fly ball to deep center field, and a RBI groundout by Parker Rowland tied the contest at 2-2.
 
Gardner-Webb reclaimed the lead in the top of the fifth inning.  A base hit by McLendon, followed by a double by Pearcey set up a sacrifice fly by Carter Cunningham to give the 'Dogs a one-run lead.
 
Arkansas State took its first lead of the evening in the bottom half of the fifth on a two-run base knock by Ben Klutts, giving the Red Wolves a 4-3 advantage.
 
GWU squared the bout at 4-4 in the top of the sixth.  Eric Jones led off the frame with a base hit to the right field gap, and with two outs would score on a knock to right field by Ben Rowdon.
 
Gardner-Webb totaled nine base hits on the night, with Pearcey (2-for-4, 2B), McLendon (2-for-4), and Jones (2-for-4) each collecting multiple hits.
 
Arkansas State had six hits, with Klutts (2-for-3, 2 RBI) pacing that effort.
 
Langdon Wilson (2-0) earned the win on the mound for the 'Dogs, tossing two scoreless frames, allowing no base hits while fanning two batters.  Starter Landon Mitchell lasted six innings, allowing four runs on six base hits with two strikeouts.  Lane hurled the final frame with two strikeouts to record his third save of 2020.
 
Jack Jumper (0-3) took the loss for the Red Wolves, allowing two runs on four hits with one strikeout in two innings of work.  Starter Will Nash worked five innings, giving up three runs on a pair of base hits with two strikeouts.
 
The weekend series resumes tomorrow at 3:00 pm at Tomlinson Stadium.