The High Point University baseball team earned their first conference series win of 2022 with a 3-2 nail biter against Gardner-Webb. Sean Duffy picked up his first win of the season on the mound while Reid Viar recorded his first save of 2022. 

Series W!

Melton makes the play at third to end the inning and HPU survives. @seanduff__ earns the win on the mound and @Reidv0119 gets the save. #GoHPU pic.twitter.com/kPD0QbyY80

— High Point Baseball (@HPUBaseball) March 20, 2022

 
Site: Bill Masters Field (Boiling Springs, N.C.)
Score: High Point 3, Gardner-Webb 2
Records: High Point (5-14, 1-1), Gardner-Webb (9-12, 1-1)
W: Sean Duffy (1-1) S: Reid Viar (1) L: Bobby Alcock (0-1)
 
The pitchers' duel opened with three scoreless innings, as the Panthers were only able to record two hits. Cole Singsank led off the fourth inning with a four-pitch walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. As Singsank stole third base, a throwing error allowed him to score and put the first run on the board.

Mid 4 | @CSingsank steals 3rd and scores on a throwing error! Panthers up 1-0. #GoHPU pic.twitter.com/qI1m4FIkqX

— High Point Baseball (@HPUBaseball) March 20, 2022

 
When Gardner-Webb led off the fifth inning with back-to-back singles, HPU called on Sean Duffy to relieve starter Sam Garcia. Garcia finished the day with 4.0 innings pitched and four strikeouts with only one walk.

Final line for Garcia: 4.0 IP, 4 K, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB.#GoHPU pic.twitter.com/lJ5XHfantX

— High Point Baseball (@HPUBaseball) March 20, 2022

 
As a bunt single loaded the bases with one out for the Runnin' Bulldogs, but a ground ball on the left side resulted in the 5-4-3 double play to end the threat. The Panthers found themselves in a similar situation in the sixth inning, as a single and walk with one out put a runner in scoring position. The ground ball to shortstop Adam Stuart presented the 6-4-3 double play opportunity and again allowed the Panthers to escape unscathed.
 

Double plays to end the fifth and sixth innings strand five Gardner-Webb runners, HPU holds the 1-0 lead. #GoHPU pic.twitter.com/aNJ8RMR2Ms

— High Point Baseball (@HPUBaseball) March 20, 2022

Jackson Melton led off the seventh with a single to right field and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Miggy Echazarreta's ground out moved Melton to third while Charlie Klingler singled up the middle to pick up the RBI and add another Panther run.
 
Singsank and Blake Sutton led off the eighth inning with back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners for Brady Pearre. Pearre's sacrifice bunt scored Singsank to tack on another insurance run and give the Panthers a 3-0 lead.

Double plays to end the fifth and sixth innings strand five Gardner-Webb runners, HPU holds the 1-0 lead. #GoHPU pic.twitter.com/aNJ8RMR2Ms

— High Point Baseball (@HPUBaseball) March 20, 2022

 
Gardner-Webb plated one run in the bottom of the eighth after loading the bases and a fielder's choice on a double play attempt with one out. A walk loaded the bases again with two outs, but another shortstop-to-second base fielder's choice ended the inning with HPU still holding the 3-1 lead.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs made it a game in the ninth, after scoring one run to pull back within 3-2. With two outs and runners on the corners, Melton made the play at third base and threw out the batter at first base to end the game and give HPU the series win.
 
Up Next: High Point travels the short distance to UNC Greensboro on Tuesday, March 22^nd for its midweek matchup. First pitch is set for 6 p.m.