CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern scored four runs in the seventh to break a 2-2 tie and Gardner-Webb's rally late fell short in a 6-3 loss to the Buccaneers Friday in the Low Country.

The Runnin' Bulldogs took an early 2-0 lead in the first, taking advantage of a Jacob Marcos walk, two errors and an RBI single from Curtis Robison out of the gate. Robison later scored on a wild pitch for the 2-0 lead.

Gardner-Webb held that lead until the bottom of the fourth, when Charleston Southern plated a pair to tie the game. Ryan Waldschmidt's two-run home run accounted for that damage, but Gardner-Webb starter Joe Simeone worked out of the jam with the game still tied.

The tie remained intact until the bottom fo the seventh, when the Buccaneers took advantage of the seventh inning stretch to seize the lead for good. Austen Izzio powered the four-run burst, belting a two-run home run to left field. Casey Atman followed with a two-run double for a 6-2 lead.

Gardner-Webb attempted to rally in the ninth. Robison reached with a one-out double and, after an Alec Burns walk, AJ Jones singled through the left side to drive home Robison and cut the lead to 6-3. Charleston Southern's John Sendziak came on to slam the door, getting a strikeout to end the game.

Kaleb Hill picked up the win in relief, hurling 6.1 innings and allowing just one run on six hits. He walked five, but struck out eight. Sendziak picked up the save, recording one out in the ninth.

Simeone was saddled with the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits through 6.1 innings of work. He fanned eight and walked only one batter. 

Gardner-Webb managed eight hits. Robison (2-for-5), Jones (2-for-5) and Humberto Torres (2-for-3) led the way. Marcos (1-for-4) and Daegan Brady (1-for-4) also had hits. Gardner-Webb left 13 men on base and was unable to take full advantage of eight free passes.

Charleston Southern got two hits from Asman to pace their nine hit attack.

The two teams will tangle again on Saturday at 2:00 pm. The game will stream live on ESPN+.