BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb (13-14, 3-5) baseball team battled back multiple times but ultimately fell 12–8 to High Point (17-9, 6-2) in Big South Conference action Saturday afternoon at John Henry Moss Stadium.

High Point struck early, plating three runs in the opening inning and adding four more in the third to build an early cushion. The Panthers' offense was powered by five home runs on the afternoon, including a three-run blast from Landen Johnson and two home runs from Seojun Oh.

Despite the early deficit, Gardner-Webb responded offensively throughout the afternoon. The Runnin' Bulldogs collected 14 hits and mounted their biggest push in the fourth inning. After trailing 8–2, GWU scored four runs in the frame to pull within two.

Anthony Hausner delivered the biggest swing of the inning with a two-run single to center, cutting the deficit to 8–6 and energizing the home crowd.

On the mound, Colby Putnam provided a steady effort out of the bullpen, tossing 4.2 innings while striking out six and allowing just two runs to keep Gardner-Webb within striking distance.

The Runnin' Bulldogs threatened in the late innings with homeruns from Zack Thompson and Merik Carter, but High Point reliever Mateo Wells closed the door, retiring the final hitters to secure the conference win.

The two teams wrap up the three-game weekend series tomorrow afternoon with a first pitch start time set at 1 p.m.