BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh and held on for a 4-1 win over Rider Friday in both teams' season opener.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (1-0) finished the game in less than three hours and got a pair of hits from newcomer Mark Black to spark the win.

Rider (0-1) struck first, getting a run across in the top of the fourth on a long single by Brian Skettini that was aided by a 25 mph wind into right field. That drove home Socrates Bardatsos, who slapped a single into left field to lead off the inning.

Gardner-Webb rallied to tie the score in the bottom of the inning.

Black laced a hard single up the middle with two outs and Humberto Torres came through with a double deep to right into the windy skies to make the score 1-1. Rider avoided further damage, and neither team scored again until Gardner-Webb's three-run effort in the seventh.

In that frame, Jacob Marcos was plunked by a pitch with one out and Curtis Robison drew a walk to put pressure on the Broncs. Jacob McCaskey hit a hard ground ball to third that was fielded cleanly, but the throw pulled Rider's first baseman off the bag – and Marcos sprinted home for the go-ahead run.

Black followed with another big hit, driving a two-run single deep into right for a 4-1 lead.

Rider was able to load the bases in the top of the eighth after a hit batter and a walk, but Connor Maggi came on to clear the trouble with a clutch strikeout to preserve the lead.

Dalton Wood came on to pick up the save, working a scoreless ninth.

Brendan Bean (1-0) picked up the win in relief, tossing an accurate 2.0 innings with only one hit allowed and three strikeouts.

Ace Bobby Alcock went 5.0 innings in a no decision, striking out six batters and allowing just one run on four hits. He walked one batter. Gardner-Webb's pitching staff was solid, striking out 11 batters and walking only three in the game.

Black led the offense, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and a run scored. Marcos (1-for-3) and Torres (1-for-3, 2B, RBI) had the other hits for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Releiver Alec Sachais (0-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing just one unearned run in 1.0 inning of work. Dylan Heine worked 5.1 innings in the start, allowing one run on three hits with a pair of strikeouts (three walks).

The Broncs had six hits in the game, led by John Volpe's 2-for-5 effort.

Gardner-Webb and Rider will resume the series on Saturday, beginning a doubleheader at Noon. Live stats can be accessed at GWUStats.com and tickets are available for purchase at GWUSports.com or at the gate.