HIGH POINT, N.C. – Gardner-Webb rallied for a 10-5 win in the second half of Saturday's doubleheader to earn a split with High Point in Big South baseball action.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (22-11, 10-4 Big South) remained just two games out of first place with the split.
High Point (11-24, 5-9 Big South) held off Gardner-Webb for a 5-2 win in Saturday's opener, which was pushed back a day due to wet weather in the Triad on Friday night.
GAME TWO – Gardner-Webb 10, High Point 5
Gardner-Webb used a four-run burst in the fourth inning, and a three-run rally in the seventh to cruise to a 10-5 win in the nightcap of Saturday's doubleheader at Willard Stadium.
The Runnin' Bulldogs took the lead in the top of the first on a High Point error and extended its lead to 2-0 in the top of the second when
Peter Capobianco homered to left field.
High Point responded with a two-run dinger in the bottom of the third to tie the game, but Gardner-Webb took control of the game with a big inning soon after.
Nate Anderson started the fourth with an infield single to second base, then moved into scoring position when
Jacob McCaskey walked.
Trevor Mattson came through with a two-out single to give Gardner-Webb the lead for good and – after
Jacob Marcos walked –
Curtis Robison smoked a three-run double into the gap in right center for a 6-2 lead. Robison was thrown out trying to stretch that hit into a triple, but the damage was done.
A solo home run by the Panthers in the fifth trimmed into the lead, but Robison got the run back with a home run of his own in the sixth. GWU nearly extended its lead further in the frame, but High Point escaped with the bases left full.
Mattson gave the 'Dogs an 8-3 lead with a two-out solo shot in the seventh and – after Marcos walked and Robison was plunked –
Mark Black smacked a two-run double into the gap for a 10-3 advantage.
High Point notched a run on a ground ball in the eighth and got another solo home run in the ninth, but would not threaten the lead.
Tyler Switalski (7-1) picked up another win, working 5.1 innings and allowing three runs on five hits. The sophomore sensation fanned seven and walked just one.
Connor Maggi and
Grant Vera closed out the win.
Robison (3-for-4, HR, 4 RBI) and Mattson (3-for-5, HR, 2 RBI) paced Gardner-Webb offensively, with the Runnin' Bulldogs accounting for 12 hits in the game. McCaskey (2-for-4, run) also had a pair of hits.
GAME ONE – High Point 5, Gardner-Webb 2
Gardner-Webb fell in the opener of Saturday's twin bill, dropping a 5-2 decision to the Panthers.
High Point used a two-run home run from Cael Chatham in the bottom of the first – a two-out blast – to stake itself to an early lead.
Gardner-Webb responded in the top of the fourth with a two-run blast from
Nate Anderson to tie the game, but a two-run double from Charlie Klingler in the bottom half of the inning and an RBI hit from Klingler in the fifth gave the Panthers a lead that GWU could not erase.
The Runnin' Bulldogs threatened the lead in the top of the ninth, bringing the tying run to the plate with nobody out after walks were issued to
Curtis Robison and
Mark Black to start the inning.
High Point closed the door, however, rolling a 5-4-3 double play and getting out of the potential jam to win the game.
Ace
Bobby Alcock (5-1) took his first loss of the season, allowing four runs on four hits with three walks in just 4.0 innings of work. He also struck out three batters.
Luke Goodyear worked 3.0 scoreless innings out of the pen to keep GWU within striking distance.
Alec Burns (2-for-3) and
Humberto Torres (2-for-4) paced Gardner-Webb's nine-hit attack offensively, with Anderson (1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI) one of five other batters with one hit each.
High Point's Gus Hughes (5-4) picked up the win, scattering seven hits and striking out four batters in 7.0 innings of work. He threw 120 pitches to complete his outing.
Dalton Williams needed just five pitches to earn the save with three quick outs.
Chatham (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) and Klingler (2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI) were the big bats for the home team in the opener. The Panthers had seven total hits in the game.
Gardner-Webb and High Point will wrap up the series on Sunday afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:00 pm (ESPN+).
