BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The long wait is over as the Gardner-Webb baseball team is set to open the 2021 season this weekend, hosting Wofford on Friday and Saturday, before traveling to Spartanburg, S.C. to face the Terriers on Sunday afternoon.
 
42 student-athletes representing 18 states and two countries make up one of the most experienced teams in Gardner-Webb history, which includes 14 seniors, for head coach Jim Chester, returning for his second season at the helm of the Runnin' Bulldogs.
 
The experience in the Gardner-Webb batting order could total over 3,500 collegiate at-bats on any given day, including veterans Mitch McLendon, Cam Pearcey, and Eric Jones.
 
McLendon led the Runnin' Bulldogs last season with a .314 batting average in 51 at-bats, and also swiped a team-high three bags.  Pearcey batted .271 in 2020 scoring a team-best 14 runs and had a team-high five doubles and tied for the team lead home runs with two and 11 RBI.  Eric Jones returns for his sixth season with the 'Dogs, in which last year he batted .264 with nine RBI n 15 games.
 
Other key returners include Keiji Parkhurst, who tied for the team lead with 11 RBI and two home runs and Joe Brazil, who batted .259 with four doubles and eight RBI, as well as JP McGuire, who has been solid behind the plate as catcher during his time in Boiling Springs, and Ben LaSpaluto, who provides a steady presence in the infield.
 
Arriving in Boiling Springs with plenty of experience will be Joe Simone from Rider, Patrick Ferguson from Kent State, Dom Peroni from Morehead State, and Ross Mulhall from LaSalle, as well as Jacob Marcos from Catawba Valley Community College.
 
Also joining the team are freshmen Pete Capobianco, AJ Jones, Ben Willcoxon, Mikey Scott, Diego Santiago, and Carson Yates.
 
Gardner-Webb will also enjoy its most robust pitching staff in years, with 21 arms available, including 15 with significant collegiate experience.
 
Returners from last year include left hander Isaac Campbell, who has already made 36 starts throughout his time in Boiling Springs and posted a team-high 24 strikeouts in 2020, as well as right-handed reliever Langdon Wilson, who had a 3.00 ERA in 12.0 innings of work last season.
 
Other returners who have seen significant time on the mound for the Runnin' Bulldogs include Kyle Ruehlman and Noah Davis, as well as Sean Casteel and Matt Rivers.
 
Several new arms bring plenty of talent and experience to the GWU staff, including right hander Mason Miller, who joins the 'Dogs from Waynesburg University, right hander Corey Treyes from Coppin State University, and Kyle Skidmore from Hofstra.
 
Connor Gleeson joins GWU from South Florida State College, Sebastian Bovin joins from Feather River Community College, Cam Barrier arrives from Eckerd College, Lucas Gardner joins from Iowa Lakes Community College, and Troy Lincavage joins from Midland Community College, all bringing valuable collegiate experience.
 
A handful of freshman arms will also look to be key contributors for the Runnin' Bulldogs this season, including right hander Casey Young, right hander Bobby Alcock, right hander Lenny Washington, left hander Luke Goodyear, right hander Hunter Youngblood, and right hander Dalton Strickland.
 
The 2021 season opens with a pair of games at Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium against Wofford before wrapping up the weekend against the Terriers at Russell C. King Field in Spartanburg, S.C. 
 
The Terriers are led by former Gardner-Webb assistant Todd Interdonato in his 14^th season.  Wofford was 14-3 in 2020 before the season was halted and was picked to finish third in the 2021 Southern Conference Preseason Poll.  The Terriers return four starters in the field along with 13 pitchers from last season.
 
 
PROJECTED PITCHING MATCHUPS
Friday, 4:00 pm – RHP Mason Miller (GWU) vs. LHP Hayes Heinecke (Wofford)
Saturday, 3:00 pm – LHP Isaac Campbell (GWU) vs. RHP Josh Vitus (Wofford)
Sunday, 3:00 pm – RHP Casey Young (GWU) vs. RHP Elliot Carney (Wofford)