BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Appalachian State University baseball came away with its second victory of the season as it downed Gardner-Webb, 5-4, in the first of a three-game series on Friday evening at Bill Masters Field.
The Mountaineers (2-3) never trailed in the effort, going up 2-0 in the top of the first and never looking back despite a late push by the Runnin' Bulldogs (2-4) in the bottom of the ninth.
The hot bats started early in the first when senior Matt Vernon doubled to center as the second at-bat of the game. Junior Tyler Stroup drew a walk to set the stage for a Chandler Seagle double to left field to drive both Stroup and Vernon home.
After that, right-hander Travis Holden held Gardner-Webb scoreless through five innings. Holden finished the game with 5.2 innings pitched, seven hits, but only one run allowed, striking our four batters.
Starting off the top of the six for Appalachian, Drake Zupcic hit a solo bomb to left center to go up 3-0. The Runnin' Bulldogs then responded with a solo home run of their own to left field to end their drought.
Right-handed junior Reed Howell provided relief with two outs in the sixth before throwing 10-straight strikes, keeping Gardner-Webb off the scoreboard until the ninth. Howell finished with three punchouts in 2.1 innings pitched, throwing 25 strikes in 37 pitches total.
In the top of the ninth, freshman Calev Grubbs and Vernon again came across the plate on a Brian Bauk laser up the middle. The Runnin' Bulldogs attempted to rally in the bottom-half of the inning by scoring three on back-to-back doubles, but closer right-hander Matt Brill put them away without allowing any more damage.
The Mountaineers will continue its three-game series with Gardner-Webb on Saturday, Feb. 25. First pitch at 2 p.m. and is broadcast on Big South Network.
