BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Redshirt-senior Dale Francis Jr. blasted a pair of homeruns, including the game-winning two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth, lifting the Gardner-Webb (1-2) baseball team to a remarkable 18-15 come-from-behind win over visiting St. Bonaventure (2-1) on Saturday afternoon inside John Henry Moss Stadium.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs trailed 10-0 entering the bottom of the fourth before scoring 18 runs over the next four and a half frames for their first win of the 2025 season.
 
St. Bonaventure picked up where it left off at the dish entering the Saturday matinee, scoring 10 runs over its first four innings while the Bonnies pitching staff stifled the 'Dawgs hitters.
 
However, Gardner-Webb was able to get to starting pitcher David James in the bottom of the fourth, piecing together two hits and a run after Francis singled up the middle while allowing redshirt-senior Nick Capozzi to touch the plate for the Runnin' Bulldogs first run.
 
The Bonnies answered the bell in the top of the fifth with three runs of their own, pushing the lead back to 13-1 in favor of the visitors.
 
Gardner-Webb's bats came to life in the home-half of the fifth as it was able to push across four runs on one hit, the big blow coming off the bat of Capozzi, who mashed an 0-2 pitch over the left field wall for a three-run homerun, trimming the deficit to 13-5.
 
After holding St. Bonaventure scoreless in the top of the sixth, the 'Dawgs put together their most explosive offensive output of the young season, scoring nine times on five hits. Redshirt-senior Garrett Macias started the scoring with an RBI single to left before three consecutive bases loaded walks allowed a trio of runs to cross the plate for GWU.
 
A wild pitch brought home the fifth run of the frame before redshirt-sophomore Matt Ilgenfritz doubled for left center, plating a pair. That set the stage for Francis, who stepped in the box and obliterated a 3-2 pitch deep into the night for a go-ahead blast, propelling GWU in front 14-13.
 
Francis was not done there as he belted his second two-run homer of the game in the seventh while senior Ethan Rossow and junior Ryan Kennell added RBIs in the eight, ballooning the lead to 18-13 entering the final half inning.
 
St. Bonaventure scrapped across two runs in the top of the ninth, but redshirt-junior Devin Pressley slammed the door on an attempt at a comeback, giving the Diamond Dawgs the 18-15 win.
 
Gardner-Webb and the Bonnies will finish out the four-game set tomorrow afternoon with first pitch scheduled for noon, weather-permitting.