BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Western Carolina scored three runs in the first inning to go to hand Gardner-Webb a 12-2 loss in non-conference midweek play Wednesday night inside Bill Masters Field at John Henry Moss Stadium.
 
Gardner-Webb (11-11) fell behind in the first inning as the Catamounts (15-7) plated three runs, all with two outs, to claim the early lead.
 
The 'Dogs responded in the bottom half of the frame.  With one away, Ben LaSpaluto belted a triple to center field and was able to score on a RBI groundout by Cam Pearcey to set the score at 3-1.
 
WCU scored again in the top of the second as a RBI knock by Daylan Nanny plated Pascanel Ferreras, who led off the inning with a double to the right field gap.
 
Gardner-Webb answered in the bottom of the second with an RBI ground-rule double off the bat of Eric Jones, scoring Patrick Ferguson, who led off the inning with a base hit to right field.
 
The Catamounts claimed control of the bout in the middle innings, scoring once in the fifth on a RBI double to right field by Zach Ketterman before plating four runs in the sixth inning to take a 9-2 lead.
 
WCU added to its lead in the top of the ninth on a three-run home run by Immanuel Wilder, setting the score at 12-2.
 
GWU totaled seven base hits on the night, paced by LaSpaluto, who was 2-for-3 with a double, triple, and one run scored.
 
Western Carolina totaled 12 hits throughout the game, with Will Prater (3-for-5, 2B, RBI) leading that effort.
 
Noah Davis (0-2) took the loss on the mound for Gardner-Webb, allowing three runs on two hits with one strikeout in 0.2 innings of work.  The 'Dogs used a total of eight arms throughout the night.
 
Tristen Campbell (1-0) earned the win for the Catamounts, allowing two runs on six base hits with three strikeouts in 4.0 innings of work.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs step back into Big South Conference play, returning to action Friday evening at USC Upstate at 6:00 pm.