BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. –
Alec Burns' two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth delivered Gardner-Webb a 4-3 win over Radford to complete a Big South series sweep Sunday.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (18-9, 7-2 Big South) trailed 3-2 heading into its last at bat, but got a one-out walk from
Mark Black. Burns worked a full count before blasting a pitch deep over the fence in left for the walk-off win.
Radford (7-21, 0-6 Big South) lost its 13th game in a row.
Gardner-Webb took the lead in the bottom of the second, getting an infield single from
Jacob McCaskey with one out in the inning – and a stolen base from McCaskey with two outs.
Peter Capobianco blooped a single into center field for a 1-0 lead before Radford could get out of the inning.
The Highlanders took advantage of a GWU error and a wild pitch to even the score in the top of the fourth.
Gardner-Webb finally came through with the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh, getting a solo home run to deep center from
Trevor Mattson – his second of the weekend – to take a 2-1 lead.
Radford responded quickly, getting a two-run home run in the top of the eighth from Zack Whitacre to go up 3-2. It was the Highlanders' first lead of the series.
The Runnin' Bulldogs loaded the bases with three walks in the bottom of the eighth, but Radford reliever Landon Higgerson got a fly ball to end the threat still up one.
Curtis Robison drove a ball deep to the warning track to lead off the ninth, but the ball was caught for the first out. Black walked on five pitches to get the tying run on board, and Burns delivered the clutch hit.
The Runnin' Bulldogs had nine hits in the game, with Burns (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI), McCaskey (2-for-2) and
Jacob Marcos (2-for-5) leading the way. Mattson and Capobianco also had RBI knocks for the 'Dogs.
Phil Fox (3-1) picked up his third win in relief this season, working 1.1 innings with two strikeouts and no hits allowed.
Reid Bertram got the no decision start, working a season-high 5.0 innings with no earned runs allowed and seven strikeouts.
Higgerson (1-2) was tagged with the loss, allowing just one hit and two runs in 1.0 inning pitched. Starter Ty Burton went 6.0 innings and allowed just one run on five hits.
Miles Levere went 2-for-4 to lead Radford's seven-hit attack at the plate.
Gardner-Webb will play at North Carolina A&T on Tuesday in Greensboro, N.C., before returning home to host UNC Asheville on Thursday night to begin another three-game Big South series.
