SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Gardner-Webb dropped a pair of close games Saturday at USC Upstate, falling 9-8 in the opener and 4-1 in the final game of a non-conference baseball doubleheader.
The Runnin' Bulldogs jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the top of the second in the opener and led again after a burst in the sixth inning, but the host Spartans rallied and then held on for the win.
Curtis Robison homered to lead off the second, blasting a shot to right center for a tie score.
Daegan Brady walked,
Bo Rusher III reached on an error and
Alex Ray followed with an RBI double to put Gardner-Webb up 2-1. That hit also moved Rusher to third base, and he scored on
Peter Capobianco's RBI groundout for a 3-1 advantage.
USC Upstate rattled off three runs in the bottom of the second to retake the lead and pushed in front by a 5-3 score with a run in the fifth.
Gardner-Webb responded with three more runs in the top of the sixth, with Robison leading off again to spark the rally. His single and stolen base started things and Robison moved to third on an error. Ray came through again with an RBI knock into right field and Capobianco tied the game with an RBI single down the line.
Jacob Marcos followed with a single through the home to give Gardner-Webb a 6-5 lead.
Once again, the Spartans matched Gardner-Webb, scoring three runs of their own to go up 8-6. Another run in the bottom of the seventh pushed the lead to 9-6, but Gardner-Webb had more in its tank.
A two-run home run from Robison in the top of the ninth cut the lead to 9-8 and a walk to Brady put the tying run on board with nobody out. The Spartans' bullpen answered the bell, however, recording three outs to end the threat – and the game.
Robison led Gardner-Webb offensively, going 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs and three RBI. Ray (2-for-4), Marcos, Capobianco and
Nate Anderson also had hits in the opener.
Michael Portella took the loss in relief, allowing four runs (one earned) in 3.0 innings of work. He struck out five batters.
Tyler Switalski got the start and went 5.0 innings with five runs allowed in a no decision.
Al Holguin got the win out of the pen for Upstate, working 2.0 scoreless frames and allowing just one hit. The Spartans used five pitchers in the game.
Four different Spartans had at least two hits, with Easton Collision leading the way with a 3-for-5 afternoon.
GAME TWO – USC Upstate 4, Gardner-Webb 1
Gardner-Webb got a solo home run in the first inning from slugger
Alec Burns, his team-best eighth of the season, and led until USC Upstate's Noah Myers belted a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to give the hosts the lead for good.
The Spartans added an RBI double from Noah Rabon in the bottom of the seventh, and held off Gardner-Webb for the win.
Neither team was able to generate much offense in the nightcap, with Gardner-Webb collecting four hits and the Spartans six.
Burns had half of that production, going 2-for-3 with his home run.
Connor Maggi took the loss for Gardner-Webb in relief, allowing four runs on two hits in 2.1 innings of work.
Luke Osteen was sharp in a no decision start, allowing just one hit in 4.0 innings of work.
Kyle Skidmore kept Gardner-Webb within striking distance late, tossing 1.2 scoreless frames in relief.
Sawyer Worrell got the win for Upstate, allowing just one run on four hits with five strikeouts in 5.0 innings. Austin Morgan closed the game out, picking up a ave with 4.0 innings of scoreless relief.
Rabon led Upstate on offense, collecting a pair of hits and an RBI. Myers had the big blow with his three-run home run in the fifth.
Gardner-Webb will break for exams this week and will return to action on Friday, May 6, at UNC Asheville.
