SHELBY, N.C. – In the continuation of Saturday's suspended game, Gardner-Webb (3-0) rallied to win the game, 5-3, over Navy baseball (0-3). The series finale featured the second pitcher's duel of the weekend as the Bulldogs swept the series against the Midshipmen with a 1-0 victory in game three at Keeter Stadium.
 
In the second game of the series, Ryan Duffey (So., Duxbury, Mass.) was the lone hitter for Navy to record multiple hits going 2-for-5, while Zach Biggers (Jr., Walhalla, S.C.) notched two of the Midshipmen's six hits in game three of the weekend. The Navy pitching staff was solid throughout the series as it posted a 2.84 ERA over the three games.
 
"Today boiled down to lack of offensive response," head coach Paul Kostacopoulos said following the games. "We jumped ahead in the first game of the day but were unable to respond. In game two, we scattered six hits throughout but lacked the offensive pop.
 
"Charlie [Connolly] pitched really well in the second game today and Dalton [Baker] also pitched well in the eighth inning for us. Charlie commanded his fastball and slider really well and was just was really sharp overall today against a good offensive team. We pitched well and played good defense in all three games this weekend to give us a chance to win, but just lacked the offensive pop."
 
Gardner-Webb 5, Navy 3
 
Prior to the game being suspended on Saturday evening, the Midshipmen and Bulldogs were knotted at two through five innings. Jacob Williamson (Jr., Sims, N.C.) hit a solo home run in the second inning and Liam Lowery (Sr., Williamsburg, Va.) drove in Navy's second run of the game in the third inning.
 
Jared Leins (So., Raleigh, N.C.) threw all five innings for the Midshipmen allowing the two runs on five hits and struck out three batters.
 
Resuming the game on Sunday morning, Navy regained the lead in the seventh inning with Evan Lowery (Jr., Williamsburg, Va.) driving in Matthew Wilcox (Sr., Los Gatos, Calif.) with a sacrifice fly.
 
Over the final two frames, the Midshipmen were unable to register a hit, while Gardner-Webb plated two runs on two hits in the seventh inning to take a 4-3 lead. The Bulldogs then added an insurance run in the eighth inning after a leadoff error came back to haunt Navy en route to a 5-3 loss. 
 
Wilson Ayers (Fr., Ashburn, Va.) started on the mound after play resumed on Sunday and tossed 2-2/3 innings. Ayers (0-1) allowed four hits and three runs – two earned – while striking out a pair and walking three batters. Trey Braithwaite (So., Winchester, Va.) retired the lone batter he faced in the game to end the eighth inning.
 
Langdon Mitchell (1-0) earned the win after throwing the first three innings on Sunday allowing a run on one hit and a walk. Jarrett Thompson (1) worked a perfect ninth inning to earn the save.
 
Gardner-Webb 1, Navy 0
 
The strong pitching for both teams continued into the final game of the series with another pitcher's duel in the finale.
 
Charlie Connolly (So., Wayne, Pa.) held the Bulldogs hitless through the first 12 batters and he retired the first seven batters in order before surrendering a one-out walk in the third inning. Connolly (0-1) finished the game allowing an earned run in his seven-inning start, where he struck out four batters, giving up four hits and two walks.
 
On the offensive end, Navy continued to struggle to string hits together looking for a run. The Midshipmen found some momentum in the fourth inning with three singles in the frame, but with the bases loaded and two outs, Matt Wolff (Fr., Fishers, Ind.) lined out to the shortstop to end the threat and keeping the game scoreless.
 
Navy finished the game with six hits and it left 10 runners on base, including five over the final four innings.
 
Gardner-Webb got its run in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Taber Mongero reached on bunt single to start the frame, he came into score without the Bulldogs recording a hit. He moved to second base on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt. Mongero then scored on another wild pitch from Connolly to push Gardner-Webb ahead, 1-0, and score the only run of the game.
 
Dalton Baker (Fr., Sebring, Fla.) made his first collegiate appearance in the bottom of the eighth inning. He struck out the first two batters before allowing a two-out hit, but Baker got out of the inning without allowing a run.
 
Kyle Ruehlman (1-0) went seven innings in the start allowing six hits and walk for the Bulldogs. Cody Dooley (1) grabbed the six-out save giving up just one walk. The Gardner-Webb duo did not record a strikeout in the series finale.
 
Navy is scheduled to open its home slate on Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. against Delaware State.