BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb picked up a big win in the opener of Thursday's Big South doubleheader, but fell in the nightcap to UNC Asheville.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (19-10, 8-3 Big South) used a big inning to roll to a 13-3 win in the first game of the day. UNC Asheville (18-12, 5-6 Big South) rebounded with a 6-4 win for the afternoon split.

GAME ONE – Gardner-Webb 13, UNC Asheville 3
Bobby Alcock tossed a complete-game two-hitter and Gardner-Webb used a seven-run burst in the fourth inning to power a 13-3 win over UNC Asheville in the first game of Thursday's twinbill.

A strange first inning saw UNC Asheville jump out to a 2-0 lead without benefit of a base hit. A strikeout and wild pitch allowed the leadoff man to reach, then a dropped fly ball in right put men at second and third. Two sacrifice flies accounted for the early lead.

Jacob Marcos answered for Gardner-Webb, legging out an infield single and scoring on Jacob McCaskey's sacrifice fly to right that cut the lead in half.

A solo home run by Asheville's Robbie Burnett in the top of the third pushed the lead to 3-1.

The bottom half of the inning allowed Gardner-Webb to even the score, as Curtis Robison beat out an infield single and Alec Burns hammered a fastball deep to center field for a two-run shot that tied the game.

The Runnin' Bulldogs took the lead in the bottom of the fourth, getting a leadoff single to right from Nate Anderson and a stolen base. Peter Capobianco walked and Humberto Torres hustled down the line for a bunt single to load the bases. Trevor Mattson followed with a four-pitch walk and Gardner-Webb was up 4-3.

Curtis Robison laced a one-out double through the right side to drive home two more runs and put the 'Dogs up 6-3. Burns came through with an RBI infield single, McCaskey added another sacrifice fly and Capobianco belted a two-run double to push the lead to 10-3 before Asheville could get out of the inning.

Robison struck again in the fifth, driving a 1-2 pitch deep to right center for an RBI double that scored Marcos for an 11-3 advantage. Marcos laced a single into right with one out earlier in the inning.

Anderson plated a run with a single in the eighth and forced a mistake with a stolen base that allowed McCaskey to score the game's final run later in the inning.

Alcock (5-0) was sharp, needing only 101 pitches to get through his complete game. He struck out 11, did not issue a walk and rolled eight ground ball outs. Nearly 75 percent of his pitches went for strikes.

Burns (3-for-4, HR, 3 RBI), Anderson (3-for-4, RBI) and Robison (3-for-5, 3 RBI) led Gardner-Webb's 13-hit offensive surge and Marcos (2-for-5) added a pair of hits.

Asheville starter Bryce Fisher (1-2) took the loss, allowing seven runs on five hits through three innings. He struck out three and walked three.

Three different Bulldogs accounted for the three hits by the visitors, with Burnett (1-for-4, HR, RBI) collecting the only extra base knock.

GAME TWO – UNC Asheville 6, Gardner-Webb 4
Asheville jumped in front again in the first inning and held off a potential ninth inning rally by Gardner-Webb to beat the Runnin' Bulldogs 6-4.

UNC Asheville centerfielder Robbie Burnett robbed two home runs in the bottom of the ninth – including a potential grand slam to end the game.

The visitors led 2-0 after the first inning, but Gardner-Webb got a run back in the bottom of the fourth when Burns hit his second home run of the day – a line drive, solo shot over the fence in left center – to cut the lead to 2-1.

Asheville responded in the top of the fifth with two runs and a 4-1 lead, but the Runnin' Bulldogs mounted a counter attack in the bottom half. Bo Rusher III coaxed a one-out walk, then Jacob Marcos smoked a single into center. A failed pick off attempt allowed Rusher and Marcos to move into scoring position, and Robison delivered a two-run single to trim the lead to 4-3.

A two-run home run from Michael Groves in the top of the sixth cushioned Asheville's lead further and Gardner-Webb had to rally again in the bottom half – getting a ground rule double from McCaskey and a sharp single from Anderson to cut the lead to 6-4.

Gardner-Webb had a chance in the bottom of the eighth, but two game-saving plays in the outfield kept the 'Dogs off the board and Asheville's 6-4 lead intact.

Trevor Mattson appeared to be on his way around the bases with one out in the top of the ninth, but Burnette got his glove just over the fence to keep the ball in the park. Despite that setback, Gardner-Webb was able to load the bases and threaten the lead.

Marcos roped a one-out single into right field and Robison was plunked to put the tying run on board. Mark Black drew a two-out walk, bringing Burns to the plate. The veteran slugger connected on the first pitch and drove it high and deep to right center, but Burnette again got his glove just enough over the fence to prevent the home run – and end the game.

Gardner-Webb went with a bullpen effort on the mound, and Phil Fox (3-2) took the loss in his first career start. Fox allowed two runs on two hits in 2.0 innings. He also struck out two batters.

GWU used six pitchers in the game.

Gardner-Webb had eight hits in the nightcap, with Marcos (2-for-5), Burns (2-for-5, HR, RBI) and McCaskey (2-for-4, run) leading the way.

Asheville's Ryan Douglas (5-0) picked up the win, scattering five hits and four runs over 5.1 innings. Dawson Salter came on to record the final out on just one pitch for the save.

Three different Asheville batters had two hits in the win, with Groves' two-run homer the difference in the game.

The date and time of the series finale this weekend will be determined based on weather forecasts on either Friday or Saturday. Follow @GWUBaseball on twitter for the latest updates.