HIGH POINT, N.C. – Gardner-Webb scored six runs in the sixth inning Sunday, but could not complete the comeback in a 13-7 loss to High Point in the series rubber match.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (22-12, 10-5 Big South) fell behind 10-0 after the Panthers (12-24, 5-9 Big South) plated three runs in the second and six runs in the third inning – and tacked on another in the fifth.

The rally to pull back within striking distance started with an opposite field single from Alec Burns to lead off the sixth. Nate Anderson followed with a single to right field himself and Jacob McCaskey loaded the bases with a walk.

Peter Capobianco pushed Gardner-Webb's first run across with another walk and Bo Rusher III gave the 'Dogs life with a two-run single through the right side to trim High Point's lead to 10-3. A single from Trevor Mattson loaded the bases and Capobianco hustled home to make the score 10-4 on a double play ball. Curtis Robison followed with a double to make it 10-5 and Mark Black – the ninth batter in the inning – capped the rally with another RBI hit through the left side.

High Point got a run back in the seventh on a solo home run and scored twice in the bottom of the eighth on another solo home run and a sacrifice fly.

Burns and Anderson teamed up again with hits with two outs in the top of the ninth, and McCaskey cut the lead to 13-7 with an RBI single up the middle. High Point went to its bullpen again and a fly ball to left ended the game.

Gardner-Webb outhit the Panthers 14-13 on Sunday, but stranded nine runners and hit into three double plays. Starter Reid Bertram took the loss, allowing seven hits and seven earned runs in 2.1 innings of work.

Robison (3-for-4, RBI), Burns (3-for-4, 2 runs), Anderson (2-for-5, run) and McCaskey (2-for-4, RBI) all had multiple hits for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

High Point's David Keith picked up the win, going 5.0 innings and pitching around six hits and four walks.

The bottom of the order proved effective for the home team, with nine hole hitter Miggy Echazarreta going 3-for-3 with four RBI to pace the Panthers' 13-hit offense. Blake Sutton (3-for-4) hit his 12th home run of the year and Cole Singsank (2-for-3) had a pair of hits as the 7-8-9 spots combined for eight of the team's hits.

The first six spots in the High Point order went 5-of-25 on the day and stranded seven runners.

Gardner-Webb gets into a busy week on Tuesday, traveling to face UNC Greensboro that evening in the Gate City. GWU will play at Elon on Wednesday night before heading to Clinton, S.C., on Friday to begin a three-game series at Presbyterian.