CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Gardner-Webb jumped out to an early lead and never trailed in a 14-7 win over Western Carolina Tuesday night on the road.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (27-13) have won five of six away from home and swept the season series over Western Carolina (15-24) by rapping out 19 hits. Gardner-Webb scored three runs in the first, five in the sixth and four in the eighth to pull away.
The early burst started quickly, with
Jacob Marcos roping a single down the right field line.
Curtis Robison followed with a base hit and
Mark Black drove home Marcos with a single into left center. An error on a pickoff throw allowed Robison to score for a 2-0 lead and
Nate Anderson capped the quick rally with a sacrifice fly.
Western Carolina trimmed the lead to 3-2 with a run in the second and third inning and – after Marcos scored on an error after a bunt single in the fourth – the Catamounts tied the game in the bottom half.
Gardner-Webb took control from there.
Humberto Torres led off the sixth inning with a single and, after a double play, Marcos collected another hit up the middle. Robison followed with a base knock and Black ripped a three-run homer to left for a 7-4 lead.
Alec Burns was plunked and Anderson hit a double into right.
Peter Capobianco walked to load the bases and both Burns and Anderson scored on a wild pitch and an error for a 9-4 advantage.
Torres led off the seventh inning with another hit and later scored on a wild pitch for a 10-5 lead. Gardner-Webb put the game out of reach in the eighth, with Anderson walking and moving into scoring position on a wild pitch. Capobianco earned another walk and both men moved up a base on a passed ball.
Trevor Mattson walked and Anderson sprinted home on the ensuing wild pitch and – after another pitching change – Torres came through with a two-run double down the line for a 13-5 lead. Robison singled through the left side to push the lead to 14-5 and the rout was on.
The Catamounts used a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to inch closer
Gardner-Webb was led offensively by big days from Black (4-for-5, HR, 4 RBI), Robison (4-for-5, RBI), Torres (4-for-6, 2 RBI) and Marcos (3-for-6). Anderson (2-for-3, RBI) also had a pair of hits.
Grant Vera (1-0) got the win in relief, working a scoreless fifth. Gardner-Webb used eight arms in the win, with
Jacob McCaskey earning a start and working 2.0 innings in a no decision. He allowed one run and fanned two on one hit.
Brandon Butterworth had three of Western Carolina's nine hits on Tuesday.
Gardner-Webb will close out its 12-game road swing this weekend, opening a three-game series at Georgia Tech on Friday. First pitch in Atlanta is set for 6:00 pm.
