Boiling Springs, N.C. - Adam McFarland drove a ground ball through the left side to send Zeke Blanton home for the go ahead run in the eighth, as Gardner-Webb rallied for a 4-3 win over UAlbany Sunday afternoon at John Henry Moss Stadium. The Great Danes fall to 0-6 on the season, while the Runnin' Bulldogs improve to 8-3.
UAlbany held a 3-0 lead with two outs in the seventh, but Gardner-Webb got a double from Ryan Hodge to start the rally. Ryan Allen singled up the middle to score Hodge, before two straight walks loaded the bases. Allen came home on a failed pickoff attempt, cutting the Great Dane lead to 3-2, before Dusty Quattlebaum knocked an RBI double to right center, sending the tying run across home.
Pinch runner Blanton entered the game in the eighth, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from John Harris. Blanton stole third to get into scoring position, before McFarland drove him in to take the lead. Adam Izokovic came in for Gardner-Webb on the mound in the ninth and, after a leadoff single, got the Great Danes out quickly with two strikeouts and a ground ball, to earn the save.
UAlbany controlled of the game in the middle innings, and starter Kasceim Graham kept Gardner-Webb's hitters off balance until running into trouble in the seventh. Pete DiResta led the fourth off with a triple, and came home on an RBI single by Mike Tirri. Brian Bullard knocked a double into left to score Tirri, and UAlbany held a 2-0 advantage. In the seventh, Josh Nethaway led off the frame with a single, and moved to third on a Gardner-Webb error. An infield single by Joey Tracy sent Nethaway home, and gave the Great Danes a 3-0 lead.
Graham (0-2) took the loss on the mound for UAlbany, scattering five hits and walking three batters in seven innings of work. Two of the four runs he allowed were earned. The Great Danes collected nine hits in the game. Tracy and DiResta both went 2-for-4, while Nethaway went 2-for-3 for the UAlbany offense.
Gardner-Webb rapped out seven hits in the game, led by Quattlebaum, who went 3-for-4 with a double. Jeff Howell picked up the win, while starter Beau Hilton pitched four innings in a no decision, allowing two runs on four hits.
UAlbany will return to action on Wednesday, visiting Fordham in non-conference action.
