BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb (4-4) baseball team spilt a doubleheader versus Mercyhurst (1-5) on Saturday afternoon at John Henry Moss Stadium. The Lakers took game one by the final of 5-0 before GWU broke out the bats in the nightcap, earning a run-rule 14-0 win.
GAME ONE: MERCYHURST 2, GARDNER-WEBB 0
Offense was at a premium in game one as the Lakers posted two runs in the top of the first behind a double down the left field line off the bat of Joey Triviso.
The Runnin' Bulldogs threatened in the bottom of the fifth as redshirt-senior Garrett Macias led the frame off with a double to right center. After two consecutive outs, junior Merik Carter walked before both runners advanced into scoring position following a wild pitch. However, a fielder's choice retired the side and ended the threat.
Mercyhurst took advantage of the missed opportunity by the 'Dawgs, coming back in the top of the seventh with three runs, extending their lead to 5-0, the big blow coming from Pat Sullivan, who produced two RBIs with a single down the right field line.
Gardner-Webb went down in order in the bottom of the frame, ultimately dropping game one by the final of 5-0.
GAME TWO: GARDNER-WEBB 14, MERCYHURST 0
After both teams went scoreless through three, the Runnin' Bulldogs blew the game wide open with eight runs in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Lawson Knight provided a 2-RBI single through the left side while three other players added an RBI each, giving GWU a comfortable 8-0 lead heading to the fifth.
The Lakers went down in order in the visitor's half of the sixth before Gardner-Webb padded its lead with a three-run fifth. Junior Tanner Thomas laced a ball through the right side with the bases loaded, allowing Carter and redshirt-sophomore Benentt Shealor to cross the dish. Redshirt-senior Dale Francis Jr. capped the scoring with a sacrifice fly to left center.
Mercyhurst put together a rally in the sixth after placing runners on first and second with two outs, but a swinging strikeout ended the frame for the visitors.
Gardner-Webb tacked on three insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth. Junior Ryan Kennell collected an RBI with an infield hit while redshirt-junior Ethan Liao earned his first RBI of the season with a base knock up the middle.
Redshirt-senior Michael Ciminiello shut the door on Mercyhurst in the top of the seventh, retiring three of the four batters faced. Starting pitcher Jace Presley picked up the win after throwing 5.2 innings while allowing just a single hit and striking out four.
The two teams will close out the four-game series tomorrow afternoon with a first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m. on Bill Masters Field.
