BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb (18-23) baseball team dropped a midweek contest Tuesday evening at John Henry Moss Stadium, falling 11–1 to Western Carolina (27-15).

Western Carolina struck first in the opening inning and slowly built its advantage as the game progressed. Despite a solid start from Gardner-Webb pitcher Anthony Hausner, who allowed just one run on two hits while striking out five across four innings, the Catamounts broke the game open in the middle innings. Western Carolina plated three runs in the fifth and added four more in the sixth to stretch the lead and seize control of the contest.

Gardner-Webb struggled to generate offense against Western Carolina starter Austin, who held the Runnin' Bulldogs to two hits over five scoreless innings while striking out six. The Dawgs managed just three hits on the night and left only two runners on base.

Gardner-Webb's lone run came in the seventh inning when Drew Ripepi launched a solo home run, his seventh of the season, to put the Runnin' Bulldogs on the scoreboard. Kelvin Agosto and Daniel Smith each recorded a hit for the home team, accounting for the team's remaining offense.

Out of the bullpen, Gardner-Webb used five relievers to finish the game. Jack Iannibelli provided two-thirds of an inning of scoreless work, while the Catamounts continued to add insurance runs in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings to secure the victory.

Gardner-Webb now turns its attention to a pivotal Big South Conference series against Winthrop this weekend at Bill Masters Field. Game one is set to begin at 6 p.m. on Friday evening.