BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb's bats came to life Sunday afternoon, fueling a 9-5 win over Bellarmine in the final game of the 2022 Jerry Bryson Classic.

Speedy leadoff man Jacob Marcos led a nine-hit attack, going 2-for-4 with three runs scored and a stolen base – along with a spectacular diving catch deep in center field to save two runs. Alex Ray added a pair of hits as well as a SportsCenter-level defensive gem and Bo Rusher III hit his second home run of the season – a two-run shot in the fourth inning.

Gardner-Webb (1-3) led 7-2 after the sixth and Bellarmine (1-3) plated a pair of runs in the eighth on a two-run homer from Jacob Mulcahy. The Knights loaded the bases and scored a run in the ninth, but Lenny Washington ended the game with a strikeout to close the door.

Tyler Switalski worked 3.0 innings and allowed just one run in his first college start, striking out two batters and scattering five hits. Michael Portela (1-0) came on in relief and earned the win, working 3.0 innings and allowing just one run on three hits. Portela fanned four batters without issuing a free pass.

Luke Goodyear fanned a pair in 1.2 innings of relief, and Washington came on to finish the job with one run and one hit allowed in 1.1 innings pitched. The hard-throwing righty fanned a pair of Bellarmine batters as well.

Curtis Robison (1-for-2, 2B, 2 runs), Pete Capobianco (1-for-4, run RBI) and Alec Burns (1-for-5, 2B, RBI) also had hits for the Diamond 'Dogs.

Bellarmine starter Devin Ecklar (0-1) worked 1.2 innings and was saddled with the loss on Sunday. The Knights used six pitchers in the game.

Offensively, the visitors managed 13 hits, with shortstop Clayton Mehlbauer going 3-for-5 with a solo home run to lead the way. Davis Crane added a 4-for-4 day to his weekend and Mulcahy went 2-for-4 with his two-run shot.

Gardner-Webb will be back in action at home on Wednesday afternoon, hosting Carolina University (Winston-Salem) at 4:00 pm on Bill Masters Field.