March 17, 2008
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.--In a back-and-forth affair that saw the lead change hands four times, Gardner-Webb (9-9) used a three-run seventh and another run in the eighth to get by Yale (4-10), 9-6, at Varsity Field on Monday afternoon. Justin Loyd went 2-for-3 with four RBIs for Gardner-Webb, including a big two-run double in the seventh.
Gardner-Webb took a 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the first, but the Bulldogs pulled ahead with two in the top of the third. Andrew Kolmar started the rally with his third home run of the season, a solo shot down the left field line. Gant Elmore singled, stole second, then scored on P.J. Gorynski's single to give Yale the lead.
Yale starter Andy Megee, who was making his first collegiate start on the mound, got into trouble in the bottom of the third. After a leadoff walk to Brock Miller, Daniel Cooke struck out looking. Jamall Kinard drove in the run with a single, then moved to second on an error. After loading the bases on a walk and a hit batsman, Megee was lifted for Matthew Smith. The first batter Smith faced was Loyd, who cranked a two-run double to left center. The rally ended when Josh Drewery lined to third and Bubbie Spake was doubled up.
The Bulldogs tied the game thanks to an unconventional rally in the top of the fourth, when Yale scored two runs without the benefit of a hit. Jake Doyle walked with one out, then stole second. The next batter was Stefan Schropp, who hit a routine grounder to short. However, first baseman Spake, in an attempt to throw out Doyle, took his foot off the base early and Schropp was called safe. Andrew Moore walked to load the bases before Chris Sweeney struck out. Kolmar walked with the bases loaded to bring a run home, then Schropp scored on an error to tie the game.
Yale took a 6-4 lead in the top of the fifth when Gorynski led off the inning with a single to center and Ryan Lavarnway followed with a double to deep right center. Gorynski scored on Doyle's groundout, then Lavarnway came home on Schropp's beautifully executed sacrifice bunt.
After Cooke singled to open the bottom of the seventh, left-hander Vinny Lally was brought in to face the two lefty swingers in Gardner-Webb's lineup. Kinard flied to center, but Jeremiah Lokken was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Spake walked to load the bases, then Loyd's double gave Gardner-Webb the lead. Gardner-Webb picked up another run on Drewery's sacrifice fly and made it 9-6 with a run in the eighth.
Gorynski was the only Bulldog with two hits, going 2-for-4 at the plate. Kolmar had two RBIs. Megee lasted 2.1 innings giving up four runs on just two hits with one strikeout. However, he walked three, hit two batters and threw two wild pitches. Lally (1-1) took the loss for the Bulldogs.
Gardner-Webb had 10 hits as a team, with Cooke, Kinard and Loyd each belting two. Loyd drove in four runs, while Cooke scored three times. Ben Campbell started for Gardner-Webb and gave up four runs (two earned) on three hits with three walks and three strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Adam Bullard (2-2) picked up the win after allowing two runs and three hits while striking out four in 4.1 innings of work. Michael Lewis struck out two during a perfect ninth to earn his first save.
The Bulldogs continue their Spring Break southern swing with a two-game series at Presbyterian (5-9) on Tuesday and Wednesday. Right-handers Chris Finneran and Ben Dollar will pitch on Tuesday, while lefty Alex Christ against righty Eric Tatum is Wednesday's pitching matchup.
Report filed by Joe Clifford, Yale Sports Publicity