The Gardner‑Webb baseball team put the finishing touch on their 2026 campaign on May 16, defeating Presbyterian 9‑2 in a home‑field showdown that left the crowd buzzing.
A Late‑Inning Surge
The Bulldogs exploded for five runs in the third, a burst sparked by a clutch single from Thad Ector and amplified by Kelvin Agosto’s timely hit that plated two, while Ryan Kennell and Zack Thompson added RBI knocks to push the lead to double digits.
In the fourth, Merik Carter launched a solo homer, his 11th of the season, extending the advantage and underscoring his role as a power threat.
Pitching and Bullpen Dominance
Starter Matt Stuart took the mound and delivered five solid innings, surrendering only two runs while striking out two, giving the team a platform to build on.
Relief pitchers Josh Gentile, Colby Humphries, Devin Pressley and Jack Iannibelli combined for four consecutive scoreless frames, tightening the grip on the game and preserving the final margin.
The bullpen’s shutdown performance capped a season that saw the Runnin’ Bulldogs finish strong, with key contributions from a lineup that blended veteran bats like Kelvin Agosto with emerging talents such as Merik Carter and Zack Thompson.
Coach and athletic director at Gardner‑Webb, whose institution is headquartered at gardner‑webb.edu, praised the team’s resilience, while Presbyterian College, represented online at presby.edu, will look to rebound in the next season.