BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb (23-30, 8-14) baseball team dropped an 11-2 decision versus Presbyterian (12-42, 8-14) on Thursday evening at John Henry Moss Stadium.
Gardner-Webb finished the night with 10 hits, but left a total of 17 runners on base, including the bases loaded on a pair of occasions.
The Runnin' Bulldogs struck first in the home half of the first inning, plating one run while taking the early advantage. Thad Ector led the frame off with a base on balls before swiping second and coming around to score on a single by Merik Carter.
However, Presbyterian took control of the game with five runs over the second and third innings, capitalizing on timely hitting and a pair of miscues by the GWU defense. Anthony Hausner pulled the Dawgs to within 5-2 after launching his third homerun of the season in the bottom of the third.
Presbyterian tacked on three more in the fourth and one in the seventh before capping its scoring with a two-run seventh, giving the visitors a commanding lead that they would not relinquish.
Oliver Ellison took the loss for Gardner-Webb, tossing 5.0 innings while allowing eight runs, six earned, and giving up 10 hits. Jerek Hobb provided 4.0 innings out of the pen for the Runnin' Bulldogs, giving up three and striking out five.
Gardner-Webb returns to the diamond tomorrow evening for game two against the Blue Hose. First pitch is slated for a 6 p.m. start at Bill Masters Field.
