BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb dropped a pair of games Saturday at the 2022 Jerry Bryson Classic, falling 7-0 to No. 5 Virginia and losing 4-2 late to Bellarmine in the nightcap.

The Diamond 'Dogs (0-3) will host Bellarmine again on Sunday at 3:00 pm to wrap up the tournament. Virginia (2-0) will play NJIT (2-0) at 11:00 am in Sunday's other tilt.

Gardner-Webb rallied to take a 2-1 lead on Curt Robison's solo blast to center in the bottom of the seventh, but saw Bellarmine (1-2) take advantage two free passes, a passed ball and a sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth to tie the score. The Knights then got a bloop double that bounced just out of reach to plate two runs for a 4-2 edge.

Bellarmine reliever Matt Craven then struck out the side to pick up a win out of the bullpen.

Gardner-Webb starter Bobby Alcock overcame early control issues and went 5.0 strong innings. The Lynn, Mass., sophomore struck out 11 batters and allowed just one run on four hits in the no decision. The 6-foot-5 righty recorded 11 of Gardner-Webb's first 12 outs in the game via strikeout.

Connor Gleeson came on with three scoreless frames before running into trouble in the ninth. He fanned seven batters and walked one while allowing two runs (one earned) in the loss. The GWU pitching staff combined for 19 strikeouts in the game.

With GWU trailing 1-0, Bo Rusher III nailed a fastball deep to right for a solo shot that tied the game in the fourth inning.

Gardner-Webb had three hits in the game, with Rusher (1-for-4, HR) and Robison (1-for-5, HR) joined by AJ Jones (1-for-4). Robison hit two more line drives on the screws that didn't fall.

Bellarmine starter Arren Hash allowed just one run in 4.0 innings, with Rusher's home run the only hit allowed. Craven hit three batters, but worked around the trouble for 5.0 innings in relief. He fanned four, allowed just two hits and one run for the win.

The Knights had six hits, with Davis Crane (2-for-5, 2 RBI) the lone man with multiple knocks.

GAME ONE – #5 Virginia 7, Gardner-Webb 0
Gardner-Webb starter Joe Simeone was sharp early against the fifth-ranked Cavaliers, working 4.0 scoreless until running into trouble in the fifth. He finished allowing one earned run on two hits with three strikeouts on the day.

Virginia struck for five runs in that fifth inning. The Cavaliers got an infield single and added another base runner on an error to chase Simeone from the game. Four straight walks followed, with three runs crossing the plate for a quick lead.

Freshman reliever Connor Maggi came on after that, but Virginia scored to go up 4-0 on a ground ball out and added the fifth run on a single up the middle. Jacob Marcos cut down a base runner at third on the play to end the surge.

Virginia added insurance in the eighth, as Casey Saucke belted a two-run home run for the final margin.

Gardner-Webb had three hits in the game, with Robison (1-for-4), Peter Capobianco (1-for-4) and Benino Mendella (1-for-3) reaching safely.

Virginia had seven hits, with Saucke going 3-for-4 to lead that effort.

Devin Ortiz came on for 2.0 innings of relief to get the win for UVA, fanning four batters during that stretch.