BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb completed a weekend sweep on Sunday, beating Toledo 10-6 behind 10 hits at John Henry Moss Stadium and Bill Masters Field.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (4-4) took the lead in the bottom of the first for the third day in a row, this time getting a long sacrifice fly from
Jacob McCaskey after
Jacob Marcos was hit leading off, moved to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a
Curtis Robison ground ball.
The two teams traded three spots in the second inning. Toledo struck for three runs in the top half, getting an RBI single from Caden Konczak and a two-run double from Trey Wright to go in front.
The Runnin' Bulldogs struck with two outs in the bottom of the third. Pete Capobianco banged a double into left and scored on a single through the left side by
AJ Solomon. Marcos singled to left, then Robison walked to load the bases – and McCaskey was hit by a pitch to tie the game.
Gardner-Webb regained the lead when
Alec Burns was hit by the next pitch with the bases still juiced.
The Rockets tied the score in the top of the fourth, but Gardner-Webb answered again in the bottom of the inning. Marcos led off with a single, Robison was plunked and
Trevor Mattson reached when his sacrifice bunt was thrown into right field. Marcos scored on the play and Robison moved to third, setting the stage for a big inning.
Burns walked to load the bases again and
Bo Rusher III laced a two-run single up the middle for a 7-4 lead. A double play slowed the rally and Toledo went to the bullpen twice to get out of the jam still down three runs.
The two teams traded runs in the fifth, with Gardner-Webb scoring when Marcos sprinted home from third during a run down for an 8-5 lead.
Humberto Torres led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to push the lead to 9-5, belting a towering shot to left field.
Owen Jackson hit a solo home with two outs in the top of the seventh to pull the Rockets closer, but reliever
Phil Fox got another strikeout to end the inning in front 9-6.
Gardner-Webb padded its lead in the bottom of the eighth, getting an RBI single from Capobianco for a 10-6 lead. Toledo got two runners on board in the top of the ninth and trimmed the lead back to three runs on an RBI ground ball, but
Dalton Wood retired the next batter with a pop fly to end the game.
Fox (1-0) came out of the bullpen to earn the win, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts in 2.2 innings.
Brendan Bean tossed a scoreless eighth inning and Wood allowed just one run on one hit with a strikeout to finish the game.
The 'Dogs were led offensively by Marcos, who went 3-for-4 with four runs scored and another highlight-reel catch in center. Anderson (2-for-4) had a pair of doubles and Capobianco (2-for-4) drove in one with a pair of hits.
Toledo got a pair of hits and a home run from Jackson and two hits from Wright.
Jack Walker (0-1) took the loss in relief, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits with three strikeouts.
Gardner-Webb will remain at home, hosting Western Carolina on Wednesday at 4:00 pm for a midweek clash.
