ROCK HILL, S.C.- Gardner-Webb scored five runs in the top of the eighth inning to take a 9-7 decision at Winthrop in midweek Big South Conference action at the Winthrop Ballpark Tuesday afternoon.
Gardner-Webb (19-16, 18-8 Big South) trailed Winthrop (11-20, 8-15 Big South) by a score of 6-4 as play headed to the top of the eighth inning.
GWU quickly began to carve into Winthrop's lead as
Benino Mendella belted a home run to the deepest part of Winthrop Ballpark, his first home run of the season, to lead off the frame.
Base hits by
Patrick Ferguson and
Keiji Parkhurst set up a sacrifice fly opportunity for
Dom Peroni, who flew out to left field knotted the game at 6-6.
A base hit by
JP McGuire put two on, setting up a RBI single by
Ben LaSpaluto to give Gardner-Webb the lead, followed by a two-run single by
Mitch McLendon to give the 'Dogs a 9-6 edge.
Winthrop looked to answer in the bottom of the eighth, leading off with back-to-back base hits, and with one out a base hit by Spencer Yankle drove in one run to pull the Eagles within two, but GWU reliever
Isaac Campbell was able to record the final two outs with a pair of runners in scoring position to end Winthrop's threat.
The Eagles once again looked to respond in the bottom of the ninth, bringing the game-tying run to the plate with one out, but Campbell was again able to thwart any comeback effort by Winthrop to seal the contest, giving Gardner-Webb its fifth straight victory.
Gardner-Webb took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second as Ferguson launched a solo shot to right field, his seventh home run of the season and fifth long ball in the past six games.
Winthrop claimed the lead in the bottom half of the inning, with Tyler Baker belting a three-run home run over the left field wall to put the Eagles on top by a 3-1 margin.
GWU trimmed their deficit to one run in the top of the third inning on a sacrifice fly by
Cam Pearcey that sent LaSpaluto, who led off with a base hit to center field, across home plate.
Winthrop answered in the bottom of the third with a RBI knock to right field by Scout McFalls to again take a two-run advantage at 4-2.
The Eagles expanded their lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the fourth on a solo home run by Andrew Jenner.
Gardner-Webb got back on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth as a two-run blast to right field by Parkhurst, his sixth home run of 2021, pulled the 'Dogs back within one at 5-4.
Winthrop scored once more in the bottom of the sixth inning on a RBI groundout by Jenner, plating Baker who led off with a knock to right field.
Gardner-Webb totaled 14 base hits throughout the day, with multiple hit outings by Parkhurst (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 runs), Ferguson (2-for-4, HR, RBI), McLendon (2-for-4, 2 RBI) and LaSpaluto (2-for-4, RBI, 2 runs).
Langdon Wilson (2-1) earned the win on the mound for the 'Dogs, allowing one run on four base hits with one strikeout in 1.1 innings of work from the bullpen. Starter
Luke Goodyear lasted 2.2 innings, giving up four runs on six hits.
Hunter Youngblood,
Tyler Harrison, and
Matt Rivers combined for three innings of work in middle relief, while Campbell recorded the final six outs, allowing no runs and just one base hit to record his second save of the season.
Winthrop rapped out 13 hits on the afternoon, led by Baker's 3-for-5 outing with a home run, three RBI and three runs scored.
Willie Lumpkin (1-1) took the loss for the Eagles, allowing three runs to score on three base hits while recording just one out from the bullpen. Starter Cody Whitten lasted 2.0 innings, giving up one run on three hits. Winthrop used a total of seven arms throughout the day.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will remain on the road for their next contest, opening a three-game series Friday evening at 6:00 pm at Charleston Southern.
