BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. — Gardner-Webb (5-3) baseball erupted for nine runs in the fourth inning and cruised to a 10–1 victory over FDU (1-2) on Friday afternoon at John Henry Moss Stadium before pulling out a dramatic 8-7 win against Dartmouth (1-1) in the nightcap.
FDU 1, GARDNER-WEBB 10
After FDU scratched across a run in the top of the first, the Runnin' Bulldogs' pitching staff locked in and the offense eventually broke the game wide open. Gardner-Webb sent 14 batters to the plate during a decisive fourth inning, turning a tight contest into a commanding advantage.
The fourth-frame outburst featured timely hitting up and down the lineup. Matt Ilgenfritz delivered the biggest swing of the day with a two-run home run, while Zack Thompson capped the inning with a bases-clearing double. Ryan Kennell added a two-run single, and Allan Camarillo chipped in an RBI to fuel the nine-run rally.
Kelvin Agosto paced the Gardner-Webb offense with a 3-for-4 day that included two runs scored and an RBI. Thompson finished with three RBIs, while Ilgenfritz went 2-for-5 with two runs driven in. In total, the Bulldogs collected 14 hits and had multiple players contribute to the scoring effort.
On the mound, Oliver Ellison earned the win after allowing just one run over five innings, scattering eight hits and striking out four without issuing a walk. Connor Busson was dominant in relief, tossing four shutout innings while striking out three to secure the victory.
DARTMOUTH 7, GARDNER-WEBB 8
The Runnin' Bulldogs improved to 5–3 on the season by answering every Big Green push with clutch offense, highlighted by a decisive three-run seventh inning that ultimately proved to be the difference.
Gardner-Webb opened the scoring in the third inning before trading runs with Dartmouth over the middle frames. Matt Ilgenfritz delivered a key swing with a two-run home run, his third of the season, while Ryan Kennell drove in a pair with a double. Anthony Hausner added an RBI double, and Merik Carter reached base three times and scored twice to set the tone at the top of the lineup.
The Dawgs broke a 5–5 tie in the seventh, capitalizing on Dartmouth miscues and timely execution to plate three runs and take an 8–5 advantage. Dartmouth mounted a late rally with three runs over the final two innings, but Gardner-Webb's bullpen held firm to close out the win.
On the mound, Matt Stuart earned his first victory of the season, allowing three runs over five innings while striking out three. Colby Putnam was strong in relief, working three innings with five strikeouts, before Colby Humphries shut the door in the ninth despite late pressure.
Gardner-Webb returns to action tomorrow afternoon, taking on Dartmouth in the final game of a three-team round robin weekend affair. First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.
