BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb (17-35, 6-17) baseball team dropped game two of its series with Charleston Southern (27-20, 13-10) by the final of 19-4 on Friday afternoon inside John Henry Moss Stadium.

Charleston Southern struck first in the top of the initial frame, posting a pair of two-outs runs following a double to deep left center off the bat of Aidan McAskie. However, Nick Capozzi was able to trim that deficit in half during the bottom half of the first with his fourth long ball of the season, an opposite field shot to right field.

The Buccaneers padded their lead with two runs in the bottom of the second before blowing the game wide open with five more in the visiting half of the fourth, the big blow coming off the bat of designated hitter Kaden Smith, who launched a grand slam into the trees beyond the left field wall.

Gardner-Webb was able to scratch back one run in the bottom of the fourth after Aaron Morgan drew a bases loaded walk, plating Dale Francis Jr. Unfortunately, CSU seemed to put the game out of reach with an additional eight runs over the next two frames, including four homeruns.

The Runnin' Bulldogs added the third run of the game in the bottom of the sixth following a defensive miscue by the Bucs pitcher, allowing Joe Stanzione to touch the dish, but Charleston Southern matched that run in the top of the seventh, pushing the lead to 18-3.

Each team scored a single run over its final two at-bats as Charleston Southern took game two by the final of 19-4.

The third and final game of the series will take place tomorrow afternoon with a first pitch slated for 1 p.m. Prior to the contest, head coach Jim Chester and the Gardner-Webb baseball team will recognize 14 seniors for their contributions to Runnin' Bulldogs baseball. Senior Day festivities are scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m.