CLINTON, S.C. – Senior Lawson Knight went 4-for-5 at the plate with three runs scored, but it was not enough as the Gardner-Webb (11-14, 1-5) dropped the third game of the Presbyterian (12-13, 4-2) series by the final of 16-13 on Sunday afternoon at the PC Baseball Complex.
Ethan Liao put together his best offensive performance of the year for the Runnin' Bulldogs, tallying a career-high six RBIs, including GWU's third grand slam in two games. Merik Carter added three hits in six at-bats to go along with a pair of RBIs.
The 'Dawgs wasted no time putting runs on the scoreboard, tagging PC's starter for four runs in the top of the first inning. Ryan Kennell and Carter started the at-bat with back-to-back singles before Tanner Thomas added a hit of his own that scored Kennell from the leadoff spot.
A defensive miscue by the Blue Hose allowed the second run of the frame to cross the plate before an RBI groundout and sacrifice fly staged GWU to the early four-run lead.
However, Presbyterian battled back in the home half of the frame, plating five runs while taking its first lead of the contest, the big blow coming from a bases-clearing three-RBI double off the bat of Ryan Ouzts.
The Runnin' Bulldogs were able to knot the game at 5-5 in the second following an RBI single by Carter before doubling up PC 10-5 after a five-run third inning. A pair of walks and an error loaded the bases for GWU followed by a grand slam by Liao deep to left field. Carter capped the scoring with his second RBI single of the game.
Unfortunately, that lead did not last long as Presbyterian pushed across eight runs in the bottom of the fourth while jumping back ahead 13-10.
Single runs for Gardner-Webb in the fifth and sixth innings trimmed the deficit to 13-12, but the Blue Hose notched a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth while extending back out to a 14-12 advantage.
After GWU pulled to within a single run following a bases loaded walk drawn by Liao in the eighth, the Blue Hose tacked on a pair of insurance runs in their half of the eighth, eventually taking the game 16-13.
Gardner-Webb returns to action on Tuesday, March 25, traveling to take on the Wildcats of Davidson in non-conference action. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m.
