Gardner-Webb scored three late runs to break a 4-4 tie and pick up a 7-5 win over the Youngstown State baseball team in the series opener on Friday evening at Bill Masters Field in Boiling Springs, N.C.
The Penguins trailed 4-1 before tying the score with one run in the sixth and two in the seventh. The Runnin' Bulldogs struck once in the seventh and two in the eighth to regain the lead and held on for the series-opening victory.
Kyle Fossum went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBIs while Eli Brown delivered an RBI single as the Penguins bested the Runnin' Bulldogs in the hit column, 7-6.
YSU starter Jacob Gehring allowed four runs on six hits with three strikeouts over a season-high 5.2 innings. Sloan Ulrich was responsible for one run out of the bullpen while Aidan English surrendered two runs in one inning of work.
The Penguins struck first when Fossum hit his fourth home run of the season to right field in the top of the first inning.
The Runnin' Bulldogs responded with a pair of runs in the home half of the first to take a 2-1 lead. Merik Carter reached with a one-out single before Dale Francis Jr. hit a two-out, two-run home run.
Gardner-Webb added a single run in the bottom of the third as Carter drew a one-out walk and scored on a two-out RBI single from Garrett Macias. The Runnin' Bulldogs pushed their advantage to 4-1 in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run by Aaron Morgan.
Youngstown got back on the board in the top of the sixth to cut the deficit to 4-2. Fossum drew a one-out walk and came around to score on a two-out RBI single from Brown. The Penguins evened the score with two runs in the top of the seventh. Jed Stange-Tregear walked and scored on a wild pitch before Fossum delivered a two-out RBI single to tie the game at 4-4.
Garnder-Webb went back ahead 5-4 with a single tally in the bottom of the seventh as Lawson Knight drew a leadoff walk and scored on a sacrifice fly from Macias. The Runnin' Bulldogs added a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to extend their edge to 7-4.
Cole Smith drew a leadoff walk and scored on an RBI groundout by Fossum in the top of the ninth for the final margin.
Gardner-Webb starter Reid Bertram allowed two runs on six hits with eight punch outs over 5.2 innings of work. Mason Manriquez was awarded the victory after allowing one run and striking out five batters in 1.2 innings of relief.
The Penguins and Runnin' Bulldogs will continue their three-game weekend series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
