BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb fell behind early and didn't recover, dropping a 12-2 decision to High Point Saturday afternoon to even the Big South series at one game apiece.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (9-12, 1-1 Big South) and Panthers (5-14, 1-1 Big South) will play the rubber match on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 on Bill Masters Field inside John Henry Moss Stadium.

The Panthers used a four-run inning in the second to take the lead for good, with Josh Deslauriers' two-run triple the big spark. Gardner-Webb went to its bullpen and Casey Young was able to strand three High Point runners to stem the tide.

High Point scored twice more in the third and two more in the fourth to go in front 8-0, before Gardner-Webb could scratch a pair across in the bottom of the sixth. Alec Burns led off that frame with a four-pitch walk, then scored on an RBI double off the bat of Bo Rusher III. The Runnin' Bulldogs pushed another run across when Rusher scored on a wild pitch. Pinch hitter Trevor Mattson collected a single to left center to keep the inning going with two outs, but High Point quickly went to its bullpen and got out of the jam without further damage.

High Point padded its lead with a solo home run from Singsak in the eighth and added three runs in the top of the ninth for the final margin.

Gardner-Webb managed just five hits in the game, with Rusher collecting two of those. Burns (1-for-3), AJ Jones (1-for-4) and Mattson (1-for-2) also had hits for the 'Dogs.

Tyler Switalski (1-3) was tagged with the mound loss after allowing four runs on five hits in 1.1 innings of work. Drew Janssen came on in relief, but gave up three earned runs (four runs) on a hit and four walks in 1.2 innings pitched. Young slowed the Panthers down with 3.2 scoreless innings of work, but GWU could not take advantage. Gardner-Webb used six pitchers in the game.

Teddy Merritt (2-3) threw 94 pitches in 5.2 innings but picked up the win, allowing just two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts. He walked three. Everett Vaughan came on for the long save, working the final 3.1 innings and allowing just one hit.

High Point, which had only two hits in Friday's opener, found its rhythm at the plate on Saturday afternoon to the tune of 13 base knocks. Five of those went for extra bases, including a pair of home runs.

Adam Stuart had one of those bombs and finished the day 4-for-6 with a pair of RBI. Deslauriers went 3-for-5 with a triple and three RBI and leadoff man Javon Fields went 2-for-4. Blake Sutton also came away with a pair of safeties in the game.

Sunday's game will stream live on GWUSports.com/listenlive, with Phil Constantino calling the action from the spacious third base radio booth.