ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Gardner-Webb plated three runs in the top of the ninth inning to claim a 6-3 victory in midweek Big South Conference action at UNC Asheville on Tuesday evening at Greenwood Field.
Tied 3-3 as play headed to the top of the ninth, Gardner-Webb (4-9, 3-4 Big South) led off the frame with
Mitch McLendon drawing a walk from UNC Asheville (4-12, 3-8 Big South) reliever Ethan Tressler.
McLendon was moved into scoring position by a sacrifice bunt by
Ben LaSpaluto, which set up the go-ahead RBI double down the left field line by
Joe Simone, giving GWU a 4-3 lead.
Gardner-Webb added to its lead later in the inning on base knock to right field by
Dom Peroni, followed by a wild pitch that allowed pinch runner
Joe Brazil to scoot across home plate, giving the 'Dogs a 6-3 advantage.
In the bottom half of the ninth, GWU reliever
Dalton Strickland made quick work of the first two batters he faced, fanning both, before issuing a walk and hitting a batter to allow the tying run to step into the batter's box.
The Runnin' Bulldogs went to their bullpen once again, bringing in
Tyler Harrison, who recorded the final out of the game on a line drive that was snagged out of the air by Peroni at second base to seal the win.
The Runnin' Bulldogs scored the first run of the day in the top of the second inning.
Patrick Ferguson led off the frame with a base hit to right field, followed by an infield single by Peroni.
Ferguson advanced to third base with two outs, which set up an RBI infield single by
Pete Capobianco to give GWU an early 1-0 advantage.
UNC Asheville answered in the bottom of the fourth inning. Dominic Freeberger led off with a triple to right field, and with one out would score on a base knock by Michael Groves. Asheville loaded the bases, which allowed Christ Troost to send one run across the plate as he reached on an error, and a sacrifice fly by Cam Johnson drove in an additional run to give Asheville a 3-1 lead.
The Runnin' Bulldogs responded quickly in the top of the fifth inning. With two outs, McLendon belted a solo blast over the right field wall, immediately followed by a solo shot past the left field fence by LaSpaluto, squaring the contest at 3-3.
It was LaSpaluto's third home run of the season, and the second long ball of the year for McLendon.
Gardner-Webb totaled ten base hits on the evening, with McLendon (2-for-3, HR, RBI), LaSpaluto (2-for-4, HR, RBI) and Peroni (2-for-3, RBI) each having multiple hit outings.
UNC Asheville tallied six hits, led by Freeberger (2-for-3, 3B) and Groves (2-for-4, 2B, RBI).
Strickland (1-0) earned the first win of his collegiate career on the mound., hurling 2.1 scoreless frames with no base hits allowed while fanning four batters. Starter
Noah Davis lasted 3.1 innings, giving up three runs on five base hits with one strikeout.
Sebasten Boivin,
Isaac Campbell, and
Connor Gleeson each made trips to the mound in middle relief, combining to allow no runs on one base hit. Harrison claimed his first save of 2021, recording the final out.
Tressler (0-2) took the loss for Asheville, allowing three runs on two base hits with one strikeout in one inning on the mound. Starter Chris Banks went two innings, giving up one run on three base hits with one strikeout. UNCA used a total of 11 pitchers throughout the contest.
Gardner-Webb remains on the road for its next contest, opening a three-game Big South Conference series Friday afternoon at High Point. First pitch is slated for 4:00 pm at Willard Stadium with live coverage on ESPN+ (WatchESPN.com / ESPN App).
