BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb (11-8, 1-1) baseball responded in a big way Saturday afternoon, using a late offensive surge to defeat Longwood (14-5, 1-1), 7–2, and even the Big South Conference series at Bill Masters Field.

Longwood struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, but Gardner-Webb answered immediately in the bottom half of the frame. The Runnin' Bulldogs pushed across two runs to even the game at 2–2, setting the tone for a back-and-forth afternoon.

Gardner-Webb starter Matt Stuart worked through the early innings before turning the game over to the bullpen in the fourth.

Reliever Colby Putnam delivered a dominant outing out of the bullpen, tossing 5.2 scoreless innings while allowing five hits and striking out four to earn the win. Putnam kept the Lancers off the scoreboard the rest of the way and stranded several runners as Longwood left 13 runners on base in the game.

The Runnin' Bulldogs broke the tie in the sixth inning when they plated a run to move in front 3–2 following a rocket off the bat of Ryan Kennell that allowed Matt Ilgenfritz to touch the plate. Gardner-Webb then erupted for four runs in the eighth inning to put the game away.

The rally featured timely hitting throughout the lineup. Kennell continued his strong day with a multi-hit performance and drove in two runs, while Diego Guevara delivered a key pinch-hit single that plated two more. Ethan Liao added a two-RBI hit during the inning as Gardner-Webb created separation late.

Putnam escaped a bit of traffic in the top of the ninth to secure the win as the two teams prepare for the rubber match of the three-game series tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.