BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Sophomore Gavin Johnson lofted a soft liner over the infield with the bases loaded, scoring three runs before a defensive miscue allowed the game-winning run to touch the plate as the Gardner-Webb (15-20, 5-5) baseball team scored five times in the bottom of the ninth, shocking visiting Radford (14-19, 3-7) 10-9 on Friday evening inside John Henry Moss Stadium.
Radford started fast after scoring three times following a homerun off the bat of Eli Hudgins in the top of the first inning, taking an early lead in the pivotal conference series.
However, the Runnin' Bulldogs put together a three-run bottom of the second while knotting the score at 3-all. A pair of walks put two runners on before an errant throw allowed Garrett Macias to cross the plate for the first run.
Matt Ilgenfritz followed that up with a base hit to left center, trimming the deficit to 3-2. A hit batter paired with another base on balls loaded the sacks for GWU before Tanner Thomas earned a free pass and RBI.
That tie did not last long as Radford took the lead back in the visiting half of the third, plating two runs on a trio of hits while pushing ahead 5-3. The 'Dawgs scratched a single run in the bottom of the sixth as Macias led the frame off with a solo shot to left.
The Highlanders increased their lead in the top of the seventh with four runs, all coming off the bat of Tyler Sparrer, who lifted a ball deep over the left field wall with the bases loaded, staking the visitors to a 9-4 advantage.
Gardner-Webb received an RBI single from Nick Capozzi in the eighth but still trailed 9-5 heading into the bottom of the ninth frame.
Lawson Knight kickstarted the inning with a single to left before a walk and base knock by Tanner Thomas loaded the bases with no outs. Kennell then drew a walk to plate the first run, pulling GWU to within three.
However, Radford looked poised to escape the jam as relief pitcher Trey Ludy struck out the next two batters, leaving the 'Dawgs with one out to play with. That set the stage for Johnson who lofted a soft single over the outstretched arms of the Radford shortstop. After the ball kicked away from the left fielder, all three runs came home to score, tying the game at 9-9.
Capozzi then beat a ball into the turf, but the throw across the diamond was went wide, allowing pinch runner Carson Willoughby to cross the dish for the improbable walk off win.
John Pfeffer picked up his third win of the season after tossing 6.0 innings of relief while recording seven strikeouts.
The two teams will return to action tomorrow afternoon for game two of the three-game set with the first pitch set for 3 p.m.
