SHELBY, N.C. (Interstat) — Oliver Ellison tossed a five-hit shutout and Gardner-Webb hit three solo home runs to defeat Winthrop 3-0 on Friday in a Big South Conference game at John Henry Moss Stadium.

Ellison went the distance, striking out five without allowing an earned run, rebounding from a rough start a week earlier. Kelvin Agosto homered in the third inning, Drew Ripepi added a solo shot in the sixth and Merik Carter went deep in the seventh to account for all the scoring for the Runnin Bulldogs.

Gardner-Webb finished with nine hits. Winthrop managed five hits and grounded into two double plays. Cornelius Wouters led the Eagles with two hits, and Cade Norton added one.

Brayden Gilley took the loss for Winthrop, allowing three runs on nine hits over 6.2 innings while striking out six. Harrison Wilson tossed 1.1 scoreless innings in relief.

Winthrop dropped to 27-15 overall, while Gardner-Webb improved to 19-23. The teams continue their series Saturday.