BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb (12-8, 2-1) baseball used a big early offensive surge and a strong outing on the mound from Reid Bertram Sunday afternoon to defeat Longwood (14-6, 1-2), 9–4 and secure the Big South Conference series victory at John Henry Moss Stadium.

Gardner-Webb wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, plating two runs in the first inning before adding another in the second to take a 3–1 advantage. The Runnin' Bulldogs then broke the game open in the fourth inning with a five-run rally that created separation and put the hosts firmly in control.

The big inning featured several key hits, highlighted by a two-run homer from Matt Ilgenfritz, his team-leading sixth long ball of the season, that energized the Gardner-Webb dugout and extended the lead.

Bertram delivered a strong performance for the Runnin' Bulldogs, working seven innings while allowing two runs on five hits and striking out eight to earn the victory. Bertram kept Longwood's lineup off balance throughout the afternoon and allowed Gardner-Webb to maintain its lead.

The Runnin' Bulldogs blew the game open with a 5-run fourth inning. Diego Guevara plated two with a hit up the middle before Allan Camarillo and Kelvin Agosto delivered RBI hits while extending the GWU lead to 8-1.

Longwood made things interesting with three runs over the seventh and eighth innings, but relievers Nick Blaszczak and Colby Humphries combined to finish the game out of the bullpen.

Gardner-Webb returns to action on Tuesday, March 17 as it heads to Cullowhee, N.C. to face Western Carolina in a mid-week, non-conference matchup. First pitch is slated for 4 p.m.