BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb (9-8) baseball team completed a three-game sweep of Youngstown State (1-13) with a series finale score of 8-4 on Sunday afternoon at John Henry Moss Stadium.

After holding Youngstown State scoreless over the first three innings, the Runnin' Bulldogs broke the 0-0 tie following a solo homerun to dead center by redshirt senior Dale Francis Jr., his team-leading ninth long ball of the season.

However, the Penguins came back to take the lead in the top of the sixth, plating two runs in a pair of hits, but failed to do more damage, leaving the bases loaded. That lead did not last long as GWU came back with two runs in the home half of the frame following a rare 2-RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of senior Aaron Morgan.

Youngstown State pushed back ahead in the visitor's half of the eighth with a two-run homerun from Brady Shannon, giving YSU a 4-3 lead late in the ballgame.

The Runnin' Bulldogs put the doubters to rest with five runs on a pair of hits in the bottom of the eighth, taking a lead that would not be relinquished. Redshirt senior Garrett Macias started the frame with a hit up the middle before a hit-by-pitch put two runners on with no outs.

A failed sacrifice bunt by GWU turned to gold as an errant throw by the Penguins third baseman left both runners in scoring position. The miscues continued to pile up as back-to-back wild pitches plated two, giving the "Dawgs a 5-4 advantage.

An RBI groundout by junior Ryan Kennell followed by a two-RBI double to left center by senior Lawson Knight staked Gardner-Webb to an 8-4 lead heading to the final frame.

Redshirt junior Devin Pressley came in for the ninth, slamming the door at an attempted comeback after retiring Youngstown State in order while earning his first win of the season.

Gardner-Webb returns to action on Tuesday, March 11, playing host to the Catamounts of Western Carolina. Game time is set for 6 p.m.