STILLWATER, Okla. — Gardner-Webb (10-4) baseball erupted offensively Friday night, piling up 19 runs on 19 hits, both season highs, to defeat Oklahoma State (9-4) 19–5 at O'Brate Stadium.

The Runnin' Bulldogs wasted little time getting on the board as Matt Ilgenfritz launched a solo home run in the top of the first inning to give Gardner-Webb an early lead. Oklahoma State answered with a homer of its own and pushed across two runs in the second to take a brief 3–1 advantage.

Gardner-Webb quickly responded in the third. An RBI single from Ryan Kennell trimmed the deficit before Zack Thompson delivered a two-run single that put the Dawgs back in front, 4–3. That swing ignited a stretch of relentless offense that Oklahoma State could not slow down.

The Runnin' Bulldogs added to the lead in the fourth when Merik Carter blasted a solo home run and Kelvin Agosto followed with a two-run shot, extending the advantage to 7–3. Gardner-Webb then broke the game open in the fifth inning as Agosto crushed a grand slam to cap a five-run frame.

Gardner-Webb continued to pour it on over the final two innings, scoring four runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh to put the game out of reach. Carter, Ilgenfritz, and Kennell each delivered key hits during the late surge as the Bulldogs' lineup stayed aggressive from top to bottom.

Agosto led the offensive explosion with three hits and seven RBIs, including two home runs. Ilgenfritz finished with five hits, four runs scored, and three RBIs, while Kennell added three hits and three RBIs. Carter also had a strong night at the plate with three hits, three runs, and three RBIs.

On the mound, Oliver Ellison earned the win after working five innings and striking out four while allowing three runs, two earned. Jerek Hobb closed out the game with two innings of relief, striking out four.

The teams will return to action in game two of a three-game set tomorrow afternoon with a first pitch set at 2 p.m. CST.