BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb scored three late runs to rally for a 9-7 win over Winthrop on Sunday afternoon in Big South Conference play at Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium.
Gardner-Webb (18-16, 17-8 Big South) trailed Winthrop (11-19, 8-14 Big South) by a 7-6 score as play headed to the bottom of the seventh inning.
With one out,
Cam Pearcey belted a double to right field, and was able to advance to third as
Eric Jones reached on a throwing error by Winthrop shortstop Tyler Baker.
That set up the opportunity for both men to steal bases simultaneously, with Pearcey taking home to tie the game.
A passed ball moved Jones to third base, who was able to score on a sacrifice fly by
Keiji Parkhurst to give the 'Dogs an 8-7 lead.
GWU added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning as
Mitch McLendon belted a double down the left field line, driving in
Ben LaSpaluto, who reached earlier in the frame on a dropped third strike.
The Runnin' Bulldogs held the Eagles at bay in the ninth, as reliever
Isaac Campbell retired the side to seal the win.
Winthrop took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning, with the first run scoring on a balk by GWU pitcher
Kyle Ruehlman, followed by an RBI base hit by Jonathan Strauss.
GWU responded in the bottom half if the inning, as a base hit by
Dom Peroni was able to drive in both Jones and Ferguson to square the game at 2-2.
The Eagles reclaimed the lead in the top of the fourth inning, with Strauss driving in another un on a base hit, and one run was able to score following a throwing error by GWU catcher
JP McGuire.
Gardner-Webb once again answered in the bottom of the fourth. With the bases loaded,
Mitch McLendon was able to reach via a walk to score one, followed by a two-run knock to right field off the bat of
Joe Simone. One more run scored in the frame on a base hit to center field by Pearcey to give the 'Dogs a 6-4 lead.
Winthrop cut GWU's lead in half in the top of the fifth on a RBI groundout by Scout McFalls and once again claimed the lead in the sixth on a two-run hit to right field by Dillon Morton.
The Runnin' Bulldogs totaled 11 base hits on the day, led by McLendon, who was 3-for-4 at the plate with a pair of doubles and two RBI. Pearcey (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Peroni (2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI) also had multiple base hits.
Campbell (2-4) picked up the win on the mound for GWU, tossing three scoreless frames, allowing no base hits with a pair of strikeouts. Ruehlman lasted 3.2 innings in the start, giving up four runs on six hits with two strikeouts.
Casey Young,
Connor Gleeson,
Corey Treyes, and
Sebasten Boivin each saw action from the bullpen in middle relief.
Winthrop had nine hits throughout the afternoon, led by Strauss (2-for-3, 2 RBI), McFalls (2-for-4, RBI), and Morton (2-for-5, 2 RBI).
Dalton Mims (2-1) took the loss for the Eagles, giving up two runs on three base hits with two strikeouts in 2.2 innings of work from the bullpen. Starter Dalton Skinner lasted 3.2 innings, giving up six runs on seven hits while fanning six batters. Parker Whittle and Colten Rendon combined to record the last five outs.
With Sunday's win, Gardner-Webb completed the weekend sweep of Winthrop, GWU's third Big South weekend series sweep of 2021.
Gardner-Webb returns to action Tuesday afternoon, once again taking on Winthrop in midweek play, this time in Rock Hill, S.C. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm at the Winthrop Ballpark.
