KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb (14-19) baseball team dropped a 9-4 game against Charlotte (19-13) on Tuesday evening inside Atrium Health Park.

The 49ers struck early with two runs in the bottom of the first before adding three more scores in the home half of the third, controlling a 5-0 lead after three full innings of play.

However, Gardner-Webb trimmed the deficit to 5-3 after posting a trio of runs in the top of the fifth. Three consecutive walks loaded the bases for the 'Dawgs followed by a two-RBI single through the left side off the bat of Dale Francis Jr. Garrett Macias capped the scoring with an RBI hit of his own.

Charlotte was able to balloon its lead back to 7-3 after scoring two runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Runnin' Bulldogs continued to chip away with a single run following an eighth inning RBI single by Ryan Kennell, but Charlotte posted two more runs in the bottom of the frame while holding GWU scoreless in the final inning, taking a 9-4 win.

Gardner-Webb will make the quick turnaround, traveling to face the Tigers of Clemson on Wednesday, April 9. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m.