BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Junior shortstop Ryan Kennell went 2-for-4 at the plate, including a pair of double and two RBIs, but it was not enough as the Gardner-Webb (1-3) baseball team dropped a tough 11-10 decision versus St. Bonaventure Sunday afternoon in the final game of a four-game set at John Henry Moss Stadium.
 
The Bonnies jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after scoring three runs in the first and four in the second, the big blows coming from back-to-back homeruns off the bats of Mike Gunning and Antonio Cordeiro.
 
However, the Runnin' Bulldogs came back with a trio of runs in the home half of the second, trimming the deficit to 7-3. Redshirt-sophomore third baseman Matt Ilgenfritz ignited the scoring with an inside-the-park homerun down the right field line. Sophomore catcher Bennett Shealor and senior second baseman Ethan Rossow also provided RBIs in the at-bat.
 
St. Bonaventure earned one of the runs back in the top of the third before a two-spot in the bottom of the fourth, compliments of a two-run double off the bat of Kennell brought GWU to within 8-5 after four innings of play.
 
After the Bonnies scored three times in the top of the fifth, Gardner-Webb came right back with three of its own in the bottom of the frame. After loading the bases with no outs, the Runnin' Bulldogs benefited from back-to-back run-scoring balks by the SBU pitching staff.
 
Trailing 11-8 heading to the bottom of the ninth, Gardner-Webb scored a pair of runs off a throwing error by the Bonnies shortstop but left the tying run stranded on second base while falling 11-10.
 
Gardner-Webb will be back in action on Tuesday, February 18 as it welcomes the Wildcats of Davidson to Bill Masters Field for a single game. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.