CLINTON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb totaled 15 base hits on the day as the Runnin' Bulldogs defeated Presbyterian by a 10-2 score Friday afternoon to open a key Big South Conference series at the PC Baseball Complex.
Gardner-Webb (22-17, 21-9 Big South) jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the third inning.
JP McGuire led off with a double, followed by a bunt single by
Ben LaSpaluto to put runners on the corners, setting up a sacrifice bunt by
Mitch McLendon to plate the first run of the day.
Later in the inning,
Cam Pearcey belted a two-run triple to the left field gap, and was sent home on a sacrifice fly by
Eric Jones to give the 'Dogs an early 4-0 advantage.
Presbyterian (13-18, 12-13 Big South) answered in the bottom half of the inning as Zacchaeus Rasberry hit a solo home run to center field with two outs to set the score at 4-1. The Blue Hose threatened to score again by loading the bases, but
Mason Miller got out of the jam, ending the frame on a strikeout.
The Runnin' Bulldogs expanded their lead in each of the following four innings.
Keiji Parkhurst led off the top of the fourth with a home run to left field, and in the fifth, one run scored on another sacrifice fly by Jones.
GWU plated one run in the top of the sixth on a RBI single by McLendon, and in the seventh two runs scored as an error by PC second baseman Noah Lebron allowed Pearcey to safely cross home plate, followed by a sacrifice fly by Parkhurst.
The Blue Hose scratched once more in the seventh on a RBI fielder's choice by Rasberry.
Gardner-Webb scored its final run of the day in the top of the ninth as Parkhurst once again led off with a solo blast, giving him a team-high 10 home runs on the season.
Miller (5-1) earned the win on the mound for the Runnin' Bulldogs with another strong outing, allowing two runs on three base hits with 10 strikeouts in 6.1 innings of work.
Corey Treyes tossed 1.2 innings, allowing no runs or hits with one strikeout, while
Matt Rivers worked the final inning, allowing no runs or hits while fanning one batter.
GWU totaled 15 base hits, including eight extra base knocks. Pearcey (3-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI) and McGuire (3-for-5, 3 2B) led that effort.
Eric Miles (2-4) took the loss for PC, giving up seven earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts in six innings in the start.
The Blue Hose were held to just three base hits, with Rasberry (1-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) driving in both runs.
The series resumes tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 11:00 am. Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+ (WatchESPN.com / ESPN App).
