Late Gardner-Webb Surge Halted as Blue Hose Secure First Big South Series Win

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a scoreless first inning, Presbyterian broke out the bats in the second, plating six runs.
• Jackson Hugus drew a walk, followed by Matthew Rollison’s first hit of the day. With two runners in scoring position, Hugus capitalized on a passed ball to score PC’s first run. Ryan Ouzts worked a walk before Brody Linker delivered an RBI single through the left side, bringing Rollison home. With two on, Eli Lazio launched a three-run homer over the left-center field wall, extending PC’s lead to 5-0. Andrew Albertus added to the rally by drawing a walk and later scoring on Jake Randolph’s RBI single to right.
• Linker struck again in the third, driving in Hugus with another RBI single to push PC’s advantage to 7-0.
• In the fourth, Aaron Hobson reached on a fielder’s choice before swiping second and third. Randolph followed with a single to left, easily allowing Hobson to trot home. A Runnin’ Bulldog throwing error and a walk loaded the bases for Ouzts, who ripped an RBI single to left to make it 9-0.
• Gardner-Webb finally got on the board in the sixth with a two-run homer from Tanner Thomas.
• However, Presbyterian responded in the bottom half as Linker, Lazio, and Conner loaded the bases with base hits. Randolph was hit by a pitch, forcing in a run, and Lazio later raced home on a wild pitch to restore a 10-run cushion.
• The Runnin’ Bulldogs stormed back in the eighth, subbing in eight pinch hitters and erupting for 11 runs, including two grand slams, to take a sudden 13-12 lead.
• Facing a late deficit, Rollison led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk before Ouzts came through with a clutch double over the left fielder’s head. With two outs, Trey Fenderson battled through a tough at-bat to draw a walk, loading the bases for Hobson. The sophomore delivered, drilling a single to center field to bring home Rollison and Ouzts, putting PC back in front, 14-13.
• Sean Hollister took the mound in the ninth and quickly shut the door, retiring three straight batters to secure his first save of the season and seal the series-clinching victory.

NOTABLES

• Lazio’s second-inning home run marked his second of the season.
• Dewberry’s double in the sixth was his fifth of the year.
• Rollison now leads the team with six doubles after his sixth-inning two-bagger.
• Ouzts’ eighth-inning double was his fifth of the season.
• Starter Tristan McGregor pitched 6.0 innings, striking out nine while allowing just three hits and two runs.
• Luke Gibson worked a scoreless seventh, recording one strikeout.
• Hollister earned his first save of the season, handling three-straight batters in the top of the ninth.

UP NEXT
The Blue Hose look to sweep the series as they close out their home set against Gardner-Webb on Sunday, March 23 with a first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m.