BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Gardner-Webb (7-3) baseball walked it off in dramatic fashion Thursday night at John Henry Moss Stadium, outlasting App State (7-2) 7-6 in 12 innings while running its winning streak to four consecutive games.
The Runnin' Bulldogs showed patience all evening, answering early adversity before delivering the decisive blow in the bottom of the 12th to cap a four-hour battle.
App State struck first with a four-run second inning, but Gardner-Webb wasted no time responding. The Dawgs matched the Mountaineers with four runs of their own in the bottom half, highlighted by a two-run blast off the bat of second baseman Ryan Kennell, his first of the season.
Kennell powered the offense, finishing 2-for-6 with a two-run home run and two RBIs. Kelvin Agosto continued his hot start at the plate, going 3-for-6 with a double, while Anthony Hausner added two hits, including a double. Zack Thompson recorded two hits and scored a run, and Ethan Liao delivered a clutch RBI double off the bench.
After App State reclaimed the lead in the fifth, the Runnin' Bulldogs' pitching staff settled in. Oliver Ellison battled through six innings in the start, allowing five runs (four earned) while striking out five. The bullpen took over from there and was outstanding.
Colby Putnam provided 3.1 scoreless innings, striking out five and keeping the game within reach. Jerek Hobb (1-0) earned the win after tossing the final 2.2 innings, allowing just one run and striking out three to give the offense a chance to finish it.
Trailing 6-5 in the ninth, Gardner-Webb found the equalizer following back-to-back doubles by Kelvin Agosto and Ethan Liao, forcing extra innings. Both teams traded zeroes until the 12th, when the Runnin' Bulldogs capitalized on their opportunities and pushed across two runs to secure the walk-off victory.
Down to the final out, Allan Camarillo kept the game alive with a single to right before advancing to third on a base knock off the bat of Merik Carter. Camarillo would touch the plate following a wild pitch while Carter moved himself into scoring position. That set the stage for Drew Repepi, who singled to short before the Mountaineers defense kicked the ball away, allowing Carter to cross the plate for the winning run.
Gardner-Webb racked up 15 hits and drew eight walks, consistently applying pressure despite leaving 15 runners on base. The Runnin' Bulldogs also turned a key double play defensively to help shift momentum in the middle innings.
The two teams will return to action tomorrow afternoon for game two of the three-game set. First pitch from Bill Masters Field is set for 3 p.m.
