BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb got strong pitching Thursday night and pulled out a 1-0 win over Charleston Southern in a critical Big South series opener.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (30-22, 14-11 Big South) need just one more win to clinch a spot in the four-team Big South Conference Baseball Championship next week in High Point, N.C.

Gardner-Webb got the only run it would need in the bottom of the sixth, with Ryan Kennell leading off with a six-pitch walk. A sacrifice bunt from Jacob Marcos moved the freshman into scoring position and – after a pop up – Trevor Mattson drilled a 1-1 fastball deep into center field for an RBI triple and a 1-0 lead.

Bobby Alcock came out for the seventh and finished his quality start with the score intact, handing the game over to Gardner-Webb's bullpen. Grant Vera needed only 11 pitches to get through the eighth, striking out the final two batters he faced on eight pitches.

Phil Fox was electric in the ninth, striking out the side with a barrage of mid-90s fastballs, topping out at 95 miles per hour for his third save of the season.

Alcock (7-2) continued his push for Big South Pitcher of the Year, as the league's ERA leader tossed 7.0 shutout frames and fanned five with only two hits allowed. The Lynn, Mass., redshirt sophomore has fanned 99 batters in 81.2 innings of work this season.

Mattson (1-for-3, 3B, RBI), Mark Black (1-for-4), Nate Anderson (1-for-3) and Peter Capobianco (1-for-3) had Gardner-Webb's four hits.

Charleston Southern also got solid pitching on Thursday, with starter Kaleb Hill allowing just one run on three hits in 5.2 innings of work. Evan Truitt and Eddie Olsen closed out the game.

Gardner-Webb and Charleston Southern will tangle again on Friday afternoon. First pitch is set for 3:00 pm (ESPN+).