BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Charleston Southern plated a pair of runs in the top of the ninth to seal a 7-4 decision over Gardner-Webb in Big South Conference action Sunday afternoon at Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium.
Gardner-Webb falls to 3-9 overall and 2-4 in Big South play, while Charleston Southern takes the series by improving to 7-6 overall and 7-3 in league action.
The Buccaneers claimed an early lead in the top of the second inning on an opposite field two-run home run by designated hitter Andrew Bullock, and pushed their lead to 3-0 in the top of the third inning on a RBI knock by Houston Parker.
The Runnin' Bulldogs answered in the bottom half of the third. With two outs,
Ben LaSpaluto connected with a base knock up the middle, and later stole second base to advance into scoring position. That set up a RBI ground-rule double to right field by
Joe Simone, putting GWU on the scoreboard for the first time in the bout.
Keiji Parkhurst followed with a two-run blast to deep center field, tying the game at 3-3. It was the redshirt junior's team-leading third home run of 2021.
CSU wasted little time to reclaim the lead, leading off the top of the fourth with a double by Andrew Bullock, who later scored on a sacrifice fly by Reid Hardwick. The Bucs scored once more in the frame on a sac fly by Kyle Sandstrom to set the score at 5-3.
Neither team scratched again until the bottom of the eighth inning.
Patrick Ferguson led off for GWU by drawing a walk, setting up a RBI hit to left field by
Dom Peroni, plating pinch runner
Joe Brazil with one out.
The 'Dogs put a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs, but Charleston Southern moved Sandstrom from left field to the mound, who shut down GWU's comeback effort, recording the final out of the inning.
Charleston Southern expanded its lead again in the top of the ninth, with Alex Andronica scoring on a wild pitch and John Olivera scoring on a wild pitch.
Gardner-Webb was able to put the potential tying run on deck in the bottom of the ninth inning following a walk by Simone with one out, but Sandstrom was able to retire the following two GWU batters to end the game.
The Runnin' Bulldogs totaled ten base hits on the day, paced by Parkhurst (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI),
Bo Rusher (2-for-4, 2B), and LaSpaluto (2-for-5)
CSU collected eight hits, led by Bullock (3-for-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI).
Casey Young (0-3) was saddled with the loss for GWU, allowing five runs on six base hits with one strikeout in 3.1 innings of work. Reliever
Kyle Ruehlman worked 4.2 scoreless innings, fanning three batters while scattering two hits, while
Lenny Washington recorded one out, allowing a pair of runs with one strikeout.
Sebasten Boivin recorded two outs, allowing no runs or hits with one strikeout.
Daniel Padysak (2-1) earned the win for the Buccaneers, giving up three runs on eight base hits with ten strikeouts in six innings of work. John Sendziak tossed 1.1 innings, giving up one run on two hits. Jordan Bridges recorded one out, with Sandstrom recording the final four outs, allowing no runs or hits with two strikeouts to earn his first save of the season.
Gardner-Webb returns to action Tuesday evening in mid-week action against Big South foe UNC Asheville. First pitch is set for 5:00 pm in Asheville, N.C.
