BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Junior infielder Ryan Kennell went 3-for-5 from the plate with a game-high four RBIs, leading the Gardner-Webb (10-8) baseball team to its fourth straight win after taking down Western Carolina (7-9) 11-4 on Tuesday evening inside John Henry Moss Stadium.
Redshirt senior catcher Garrett Macias also tallied three hits in five at-bats for the Runnin' Bulldogs while junior first baseman Tanner Thomas and redshirt senior designated hitter Dale Francis Jr. each went deep in the win.
The Catamounts opened the scoring in the top of the fourth, benefiting from a defensive miscue by Gardner-Webb while pushing across an unearned run for the early lead.
However, the Diamond Dawgs blew the game wide open in the bottom half of the frame, scoring eight times on seven hits. Western Carolina looked poised to get out of the at-bat unscathed after retiring the two of the first three batters.
Back-to-back walks loaded the bases for GWU before senior center fielder Lawson Knight and Kennell came up clutch with consecutive two-RBI doubles. Junior second baseman Merik Carter kept the inning alive with a single to center followed by a two-run blast off the bat of Thomas. Francis Jr. followed that up with his 10th blast of the season, a solo shot to deep left, staking the 'Dawgs to an 8-1 lead.
Western Carolina picked one of those runs back up in the fifth, but the Runnin' Bulldogs kept the bats hot with three more of their own in the home half of the frame. The big blow coming off the bat of Kennell who singled through the left side, driving in a pair.
The Catamounts picked up two in the sixth, but it was too little, too late as the Gardner-Webb bullpen slammed the door on any attempt at a comeback, sending the 'Dawgs to victory formation.
Gardner-Webb will return to action on Friday, March 14, playing host to the Bulldogs of UNC Asheville while opening Big South Conference play. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at Bill Masters Field.
