GREENVILLE, S.C. – Gardner-Webb rapped out 19 hits, including four home runs and seven extra base hits, to beat Furman, 15-4, Wednesday afternoon.

Gardner-Webb (24-27) went up 2-0 in the top of the second, but Furman tied the score with a pair of runs in the bottom half of that inning. The Diamond ‘Dogs scored three runs in the top of the third inning to take the lead for good, however.

Daniel Merck singled and moved to second when Aaron Miller was hit by a pitch to get things going in the third. Kurt Fulginiti then drove home Merck with an RBI single for a 3-2 lead. Fulginiti and Miller then executed a double steal, and both scored on Adam McFarland’s two-run single to center for a 5-2 edge.

Gardner-Webb scored a single run in the fifth on a solo home run by Fulginiti, and used a two-run shot from O.J. McFarland to spark a three-run rally in the top of the sixth that put the ‘Dogs in front 9-4.

The floodgates opened for Gardner-Webb in the top of the ninth, with six men crossing the plate to account for the final margin. After Jake Watts and Josh Drewery singled, John Harris walked to load the bases for McFarland – who belted a grand slam to left center to put the ‘Dogs up 13-4. Benji Jackson then earned a base on balls, which set Merck up for a two-run home run that made the score 15-4.

Adam McFarland (3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI) and Harris (3-for-4, RBI) led the way for Gardner-Webb Wednesday at the plate, with O.J. McFarland (2-for-5, 2 HR, 6 RBI), Merck (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI), Jackson (2-for-4, 2B), Miller (2-for-4) and Drewery (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) also collecting multiple hits.

Michael Hanzlik (4-3) got the win, working 7.0 innings an scattering four runs on eight hits. The Blythewood, S.C., rookie fanned five batters in the start. Brandon Boling (0.1 IP), Adam Izokovic (0.2 IP) and Josh White (0.2 IP) kept the Paladins (16-35) off the board in the late innings.

Paul Nitto went 2-for-3 with a two-run home run to pace Furman’s nine-hit offensive effort. Starter Emil Brignola (0-1) took the loss, working 2.1 innings and allowing five runs on four hits.

Gardner-Webb now hits the road for a very important Big South Conference series, as it battles UNC Asheville tomorrow at 1 pm ET in Asheville, N.C.