Shelby, N.C. – The Radford baseball team dropped a 6-1 decision against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, on Saturday afternoon at Keeter Stadium. 

Radford (22-21, 13-7 Big South) southpaw Andrew Nardi took the loss after allowing four earned runs on 10 hits over 5.1 innings in his third start of the season.

Catcher Will Harless went 2-for-4 and third baseman Matt Roth drove in the only run of the game for the Highlanders. Graham Firoved fanned a career-high seven batters and did not allow a run in 2.2 innings of relief.

Gardner-Webb (19-20, 9-11 Big South) scored three runs on five hits in the opening inning. Nardi yielded a lead-off homer to shortstop Ben LaSpaluto to right-center. Catcher Justin Kunz then blooped a double to right and eventually scored on a one-out sacrifice fly by first baseman Corey Howard.  A bunt single by center fielder Chris Clary then scored designated JP McGuire, who had previously doubled to left-center.

Radford got their lone run of the game in the top of the fourth against starter Landon Mitchell (5-4). Left fielder Adam Whitacre drew a one-out walk and advanced to third on a single up the middle by Harless. Second baseman David Bryant then walked to load the bases for Roth, who plated Whitacre with an RBI groundout. 

The Runnin' Bulldogs added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning as they scored three runs to take a 6-1 advantage. Nardi yielded a lead-off single to right center by right fielder Mitch McClendon. Harless was then charged with an error as his throw to first was wide after a bunt by left fielder Jake Phillips. LaSpaluto followed with a sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third. Reliever Evan Threehouse replaced Nardi and unloaded a wild pitch to score McClendon. The right-hander then walked Kunz and Redmond to load the bases.  Firoved replaced Threehouse and allowed a line drive two-run single to Howard.

The hosts recorded 12 hits compared to eight for Radford.

The three-game series will conclude on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.