BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – UNCG scored eight runs in the first four innings of play to go on to hand Gardner-Webb a 9-0 loss in non-conference midweek action Wednesday evening inside Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium.
 
UNCG (15-16) jumped out to an immediate lead over Gardner-Webb (13-14), as Josh Madole was able to score on a wild pitch with one out.  Greg Hardison later scored as Spencer Smith reached on an error by shortstop Dom Peroni, followed by a RBI single by Sam Koruschak to give the Spartans a 3-0 advantage.
 
The Spartans scored once more in the top of the third, with Corey Rosier crossing home plate on a wild pitch, and scored four more times in the fourth on a two-run single by Hardison, a wild pitch that allowed Madole to score, and a sacrifice fly by Pres Cavenaugh that plated Hardison, giving UNCG an 8-0 lead.
 
UNCG added one run in the seventh on a RBI single by Daniel Cerda.
 
Gardner-Webb was held without a base hit in the contest until Ross Mulhall connected with a single to left field with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
 
GWU put its first runner in scoring position in the bottom of the eighth.  With one out, Joe Brazil beat out an infield single, followed by a double down the left field line by Pete Capobianco.  Brazil attempted to score on the play, but was unable to beat the tag by catcher Dallas Callahan, keeping the 'Dogs off the scoreboard.
 
UNCG totaled ten base hits throughout the evening, with Hardison (2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 runs) doing the most damage.
 
GWU totaled four base hits on the night, including the only extra base hit of the contest by Capobianco (1-for-3, 2B).
 
Brendan Collins (3-1) earned the win on the mound for the Spartans, allowing no runs or hits with three strikeouts in four innings of work in the start.  UNCG used seven relief pitchers throughout the evening.
 
Noah Davis (0-3) took the loss, giving up four runs on four hits with four strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work.  The Runnin' Bulldogs used six arms from the bullpen to round up the game.
 
Gardner-Webb steps back into Big South Conference play this weekend, hosting Campbell in a three-game series beginning Friday evening.  First pitch is slated for 5:00 pm at Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium, with live coverage on ESPN+ (WatchESPN.com / ESPN App).