NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Freshman Vinny Casha’s (Nashville, Tenn.) two hits and two runs scored and freshman Derek Hamblen’s (Plano,Texas) three RBIs weren’t enough to lift Belmont as the Bruins dropped their baseball contest to Gardner-Webb, 13-6, at Greer Stadium in Nashville, Tenn. on Friday.

The loss drops Belmont to 8-14 overall and 5-8 in the Atlantic Sun Conference, while Gardner-Webb improves to 10-13 and 3-10 in the A-Sun.

Gardner-Webb now leads the lifetime series over Belmont, 10-6.

Junior Brian Kelley (Ormond Beach, Fla.) got the start for Belmont and went 5.2 innings, giving up five earned runs and ten hits in the loss. Kelly (0-4) had five strikeouts in the contest.

Josh Drewery (4-0) gave up four earned runs and seven hits over 8.1 innings of work. He had four strikeouts in the win.

The Bulldogs scored one run in the top of the second inning off of a solo home run to left field by Matt Rizzuto to take the early 1-0 lead.

Belmont responded with a run of its’ own through a sacrifice fly to left field by freshman Nate Woods (Cedar Rapids, Iowa), scoring junior sophomore Daniel Wagner (China Grove, N.C.).

Gardner-Webb scored the next five runs of the game, including four in the top of the sixth inning to take a 6-1 lead.

The Bruins were able to plate one run in the bottom of the eighth inning off of another sacrifice fly to left field, this one by Hamblen, which scored Casha.

The Bulldogs placed the game out of reach in the top of the ninth inning with seven runs amid a strong rain storm.

Belmont mounted a minor comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning by scoring four runs. Casha hit a single to center field which scored junior Brandon McCall (Spring Hill, Tenn.). Sophomore Packy Elkins drew a walk with the bases loaded to plate junior Derek Wiley (Dublin, Calif.). The highlight of the inning happened next, as Hamblen hit a two-RBI double down the left field line which scored Casha and freshman Brian Taylor (Centertown, Ky.).

The two teams will return to action in a doubleheader on Mar. 29 at Greer Stadium starting at 1 p.m.