BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. –
Alec Burns' two-run home run tied the game and
Joe Stanzione's two-out pinch-hit two-RBI single gave the Runnin' Bulldogs their first lead, as the Gardner-Webb baseball team (18-26, 7-11 Big South) scored four runs in the eighth inning to defeat Wofford College (29-14, 8-6 SoCon), 5-3, on Friday night at John Henry Moss Stadium.
Connor Maggi (2-0) picked up the win in relief, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings, allowing just two base runners on a walk and an error. Wofford reliever Kenny Michaels (3-1) suffered the loss, allowing four runs on four hits in 1.2 innings pitched.
Wofford jumped out to a lead in the top of the first inning, when Daniel Jackson plated Dixon Black with an RBI single to right field. Next up, Tyler Hare lined a double to deep right field, the fourth consecutive hit of the inning, scoring Brice Martinez to give the Terriers a 2-0 lead. Two batters later, Lucas Manning singled through the left side, scoring Jackson to give Wofford at 3-0 lead after a half inning.
The Runnin' Bulldogs got one back in the bottom of the fourth inning. With the bases loaded,
Lawson Knight skied a fly ball deep to center field, scoring
Peter Capobianco on a sacrifice fly. However, the 'Dawgs stranded two runners in scoring position and trailed 3-1 through four innings.
In the top of the sixth inning, Wofford loaded the bases and chased starting pitcher
Blake Brogdon from the game after 5.2 innings and 64 pitches. Brogdon took a no decision, after allowing three runs on nine hits with one walk and one strikeout.
Out of the bullpen,
Connor Maggi struck out back-to-back batters, stranding three aboard and holding the two-run deficit.
Down 3-1 in the eighth, the Runnin' Bulldogs rallied. Mark, teeing up Burns' two-run homer tied the game for GWU. This teed up Stanzione who followed it up a single scoring Torres and Knight for the game winning runs.
Maggi picked up the win, and Kenny Michaels the loss.
The next home game is this Sunday, May 5, versus Wofford at 1 p.m. For tickets, visit gwusports.com.