CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb (14-16) baseball team was dealt an 11-1 loss at No. 19 North Carolina during a mid-week, non-conference contest on Tuesday evening at Boshamer Stadium.

The Runnin' Bulldogs struck first in the top of the second after posting a single run. Dale Francis Jr. led things off by reaching on an error before advancing to second on a wild pitch and third after a groundout. A soft grounder off the bat of Ethan Liao was bobbled by the Tar Heels pitcher, allowing Francis Jr. to touch the plate.

However, UNC took a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the third after Hunter Stokely took a 2-1 pitch over the left centerfield wall for a two-run homerun.

Gardner-Webb pitching was stellar through the first five innings of play, but the Carolina bats came to life in the bottom of the sixth as the Tar Heels were able to push across nine runs on six hits and one error, blowing the game open at 11-1.

The Runnin' Bulldogs went down in order during the top of the seventh as North Carolina walked away with the run-rule victory.

Continuing with non-conference games, Gardner-Webb will return to the diamond on Friday, April 4, traveling to Cullowhee, N.C. to face the Catamounts of Western Carolina. First pitch is set for 5 p.m.