BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Alec Burns' RBI single in the 10th inning capped a fierce rally for Gardner-Webb, giving' the Dogs a 13-12 win in the nightcap and a sweep of Friday's twinbill against Brown.

Gardner-Webb (6-10) rallied from a 9-2 deficit, scoring 11 runs in the final four innings to earn the doubleheader sweep. The Runnin' Bulldogs won 6-2 in the opener behind a complete-game performance from righty Joe Simeone.

The emotional win in the finale started with a five-run rally in the ninth to tie, but the magic continued in extra innings to walk it off. Daegan Brady poked a one-out single into right field to get on base in the bottom of the 10th and pinch runner Nate Anderson swiped second to get into scoring position. After a walk to Benino Mendella, Burns stepped in and laced the game winner through the right side and scored the speedy Anderson easily from second. 

Brown (2-6) jumped on the scoreboard quickly in Friday's finale, getting a leadoff home run in the first from Derian Morphew to spark a three-run burst. 

The Bears scored another run in the top of the second, but Gardner-Webb cut into the lead with an RBI grounder from AJ Jones to score Curtis Robison.

Brown started to pull away with a four-run rally in the fourth, keyed by Ray Sass' three-run homer to left center. Conner Boree belted a double to right center for an 8-1 lead before the Gardner-Webb bullpen could get out of the jam.

Gardner-Webb pushed across a run in the bottom of the fifth to trim the lead to 8-2, but Marra launched a moonshot to deep right in the top of the seventh to make the score 9-2.

The Diamond 'Dogs wouldn't quit and pulled within 9-6 after coming alive for four runs after the seventh inning stretch. That was the beginning of a terrific finish to the game.

Nick Capozzi led off with a single, then Jacob Marcos dropped a single into shallow right field – just inside the line. A wild pitch with one out put both men in scoring position and Pete Capobianco roped a sharp single up the middle to trim the lead to 9-3. That base knock forced Brown to head to its bullpen and after Robison coaxed a walk, Bo Rusher III ripped a two-run single to center for a 9-5 score.

Brady beat out a potential double play throw to plate Robison before the Bears escaped the seventh with a 9-6 lead.

Southpaw Luke Goodyear kept the momentum going for Gardner-Webb, striking out the side in the top the eighth. Benino Mendella led off the bottom of the eighth with a solo rocket to left center, cutting further into Brown's lead, but Bears' relief man Paxton Meyers worked around a walk with two consecutive strikeouts to end the inning still in front 9-7.

Brown dampened the enthusiasm for the home team with Jackson Hipp's three-run bomb in the top of the ninth, but the 'Dogs had their biggest rally awaiting in the bottom half.

Gardner-Webb scored five runs on four hits to tie it and had the winning run nine feet away before Brown could recover. The 'Dogs batted around in the inning, getting a leadoff triple to deep center from Robison to start things. Bo Rusher followed with a double to right and Daegan Brady got a single to drop in right. AJ Jones was hit by a pitch to load the bases, then Mendella drew a walk to drive home another run.

Marcos then stepped up with a big hit, slicing a ground rule double deep to right field – driving home two runs to make the score 12-11. Mendella scored on a wild pitch to tie the game, but the Bears' Jack Seppings recovered to get out of the inning.

Connor Gleeson worked a scoreless top half of the 10th, setting up Burns' heroics at the plate soon after.

Gleeson (2-1) picked up the win with an inning of relief, using just 12 pitches to get through his outing. He was one of eight relief pitchers to work for Gardner-Webb, with Jason E'Toile, Huntley Hacker and Goodyear also twirling scoreless frames.

Gardner-Webb came alive late to finish with 15 hits. Marcos (3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI) led that attack and Robison (2-for-5, 3B, 3 runs), Rusher (2-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI) and Brady (2-for-4, RBI) also had multiple base hits. GWU had 10 different men collect hits in the game and saw 23 players play in the game overall.

Brown reliever Gauge Lockhart (0-2) took the loss, allowing just one run on two hits in 0.2 innings of work. Bobby Olsen was sharp in a no decision start early, fanning eight and scattering seven hits in 6.1 innings pitched. He allowed three earned runs in the game.

The Bears also had 15 hits, with Reece Rappoli going 4-for-4 to lead the effort. Brown hit four home runs in the game and had seven extra base hits. 

GAME ONE – Gardner-Webb 6, Brown 2
Simeone (2-2) went the distance in the first game, striking out 11 batters and walking just two in 7.0 innings of work. He scattered four hits and allowed two runs in the win.

Gardner-Webb (5-11) scored in the first without the benefit of a base hit. Trevor Mattson earned a six-pitch walk with the bases juiced to force home a run for the early lead. The 'Dogs extended the lead further in the second with three more runs, getting RBI knocks from Alex Ray, Pete Capobianco and Curtis Robison.

Nick Capozzi plated a run with a sharp single in the third and Humberto Torres drew a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the fourth for a 6-1 advantage.

Brown (3-5) got a long solo shot to right center from Ryan Marra in the top of the sixth, but would get no closer. Simeone struck out a pair in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.

Robison led Gardner-Webb's five-hit effort on offense, going 2-for-2 with a pair of walks. Ray (1-for-2, 2 runs, RBI), Capobianco (1-for-3, 2B, RBI) and Capozzi (1-for-3, RBI) rounded out that attack.

Brown's Zach Fogelli (0-3) took the loss on the mound, allowing four runs on three hits and four walks in 1.2 innings of work. The Bears issued 12 free passes in the game (10 walks, two hit batters).

Marra (2-for-3, HR, RBI) led Brown's offense, which collected four hits.