CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb (14-17) baseball team dropped a 9-5 non-conference contest at Western Carolina (15-15) on Friday afternoon at Hennon Stadium.

Shortstop Ryan Kennell led the way for the Runnin' Bulldofgs, going 3-of-5 at the dish with two RBIs and a pair of runs scored. Second baseman Merik Carter and designated hitter Dale Francis Jr. each finished with two hits.

Gardner-Webb did not waste time taking an early lead after posting three runs over the initial inning and a half. The first frame saw two runs cross the plate for GWU as Kennell led things off with a double before moving to third on a groundout. First baseman Tanner Thomas then brought him home with a sacrifice fly. The Runnin' Bulldogs scored their second run after capitalizing on a throwing error.

The lead grew to 3-0 with a single run in the second as Kennell singled and stole second before coming around to score on a base hit up the middle by Carter.

Western Carolina picked one of those runs back up in the bottom of the second before taking its first lead of the contest with five runs in the home half of the fourth inning, doubling up the 'Dawgs 6-3.

The Runnin' Bulldogs were able to close the gap to 6-5 after plating two runs in the top of the sixth. Back-to-back infield hits and a groundout put two runners in scoring position before a Kennell single up the middle scored both.

However, that would be the last runs scored for Gardner-Webb while the Catamounts tacked on three insurance runs over their final two at-bats, eventually collecting a 9-5 win.

The two teams will return to action tomorrow afternoon with a first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m.