Date Posted: 5/24/2007

DeLand, Fla. - The No. 5 seed Gardner-Webb Bulldogs eliminated the No. 6 seed Lipscomb Bisons 4-1 in the first game of day two of the 2007 Atlantic Sun Baseball Championship presented by Progress Energy. The top of the Bulldogs lineup led the way in the Gardner-Webb win. Jamall Kinard, Jay McConnell and Daniel Cooke combined for six hits and four runs. Ben Campbell went 6.1 innings for GWU, allowing only one run. Bulldogs closer, Matt Tafazzoli shut down the Bisons through the final 1.2 innings for his fourth save of the season. The No. 6 seed has now been eliminated in two games in four of the past six A-Sun tournaments.

Gardner-Webb will play the loser of Mercer/Belmont or Jacksonville, if JU beats Stetson. Lipscomb is eliminated from the championship.

Ben Williams led the game off for Lipscomb with a single off Gardner-Webb starting pitcher Ben Campbell. Campbell, who tied an A-Sun championship record with three stolen bases in the Bisons game versus Stetson, was caught leaning the wrong way and picked off by Campbell. Casey Bond struck out and Caleb Joseph grounded out to 2nd base to end the inning.

Lipscomb threatened to score in the top of the 2nd inning when Jared Picchiottino doubled over right fielder Jamall Kinard's head. The relay throw beat Ryan Wilkins home, preventing the Bisons from taking the lead. Picchiottino advanced to 3rd base on the throw, but was stranded as Clay Lehning popped up to the shortstop to end the Lipscomb second.

Gardner-Webb struck first on the scoreboard with a bases loaded fielder's choice. Josh Drewery hit a hard grounder to a diving Ryan Wilkins at first base. Wilkins only play was at first, as Jay McConnell crossed home plate to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Justin Loyd ended the inning with a groundout to 2nd base, stranding two runners.

The Bulldogs were back at it in the fourth inning, bringing two runs across the plate to take a 3-0 lead. Daneil Cooke's bunt single advanced Jamall Kinard to third. Kinard came home to score on Clay Lehning's throwing error. Nate MacDonald grounded into a double play, but Jay McConnell scored the Bulldogs second run of the inning. McConnell reached base after being beaned by Rob Smithson. It was Smithson's third hit batter of the game.

Lipscomb finally knocked a run home in the top of the sixth inning. Ryan Wilkins singled to left field, driving in Caleb Joseph to cut the Bulldogs lead to 3-1. Joseph reached base on a single and advanced to second on a foul out. Jared Picchiottino lined out to shortstop to end the top of the inning.

Lipscomb, down 3-1 entering the seventh inning put the leadoff runner on with a Clay Lehning walk. Branden Cadavid then singled to left to put runners on first and second. Allen Bolden bunted a third strike foul for the Bisons first out of the inning. Bolden was the last batter Bulldogs starter Ben Campbell faced on the day. Devin Campbell came on in relief for the Bulldogs to face leadoff hitter, Ben Williams. Devin Campbell sat down Williams in three pitches for the second out of the inning. Casey Bond only saw three pitches as well, as Devin Campbell struck him out to end the inning.

Ben Campbell went 6.1 innings, allowing 9 hits and 1 earned run. He struck out 2 and walked 2.

Gardner-Webb added to their lead in the bottom of the seventh when Nate MacDonald squeezed home Jamall Kinard for a 4-1 lead. Jay McConnell advanced to third on the bunt, but was stranded on Josh Drewery's groundout to Charles Williams, who relieved Rob Smithson.

Smithson finished his day going 6.1 innings, allowing 4 runs, 2 earned, on 7 hits allowed. Smithson struck out 1 and walked 1.

Shane Simpkins and Ryan Wilkins both drew one out walks in the top of the eighth. Gardner-Webb relieved Devin Campbell with their closer, Matt Tafazzoli. Tafazzoli induced pinch-hitter, Justin Sanders into the inning ending double play.

Lipscomb falls to 0-2 all-time in A-Sun tournament action and finishes their 2007 season 28-30. Gardner-Webb (26-31) improves their career tourney record to 2-7.

Related Links:
 • Championship Coverage