BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University baseball team hosted the Fifth-Annual Samford Media Home Run Derby on Thursday as Bulldog alum and current play-by-play specialist for the Southern Conference Digital Network Blake Gardner held off Nic Gulas of CBS 42 in a thrilling championship-round "Home Run-off" held at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
Gardner, who is also the Voice of the Bulldogs, completed the event with 13 total home runs, including three in the championship round of action to tie Gulas in dramatic fashion with his final swing of the round to send the competition to the "Home Run-off".
 
Gulas started the championship round with three home runs and Gardner needed a round-tripper on his final swing to tie. The former Samford Bulldog student was able to connect on a pitch from Head Coach Casey Dunn and send the tying homer well over the fence in right field.
 
In the "Home Run-off", which featured rotating at-bats between Gulas and Gardner, Gardner was able to take home the championship with a derby-winning bomb in the second round.
 
The top five home run hitters in the opening round of competition advanced to the semifinal round and were only allowed five swings. Gulas set the bar high by opening with three homers, while Gardner followed with two to reach the championship round.
 
Scott Forester (ABC 33/40), Simone Eli (CBS 42) and Kyle Burger (NBC 13) all advanced to the semifinal round of action as well. Forester crushed five home runs in the first round, while Burger notched four and Eli closed out the round with three.
 
Gardner became the fifth champion in five years of the Samford Media Home Run Derby. Kevin Scarbinsky of AL.com won the inaugural title in 2014, while Joe Hunk of JOX Game Day earned the 2015 championship. Gulas then took home the trophy in 2016 as Mark Prater rallied to win the title last season.
 
In Thursday's first round of action, the competitors were allowed 10 total swings. Gardner led the way with seven dingers, while Gulas and Forester followed with five homers apiece. Burger knocked four out in the first round as Eli tallied three.
 
Wes Sinor (Alabama Media Group) and Brad Radice (Samford Communications) both added two home runs in the first round, while Brian Pope (The MindSide), DJ Big Sweatt (Hot 107.7 & Talk 99.5), Aaron Daniel (WJOX) and A.J. (Talk 99.5) all hit one home run apiece.
 
Also competing in this year's event were Chris Renkel (CBS 42), Lauren Sisler (Alabama Media Group) and Joey Rogers (CBS 42).
 
For the fifth-consecutive season, Samford and Dunn hosted the event to reward and thank the local media for all of its hard work and tireless coverage. Participation in the annual Home Run Derby has grown each year and is held at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
Here is a full list of this season's competitors:
 
A.J. (Talk 99.5)
Kyle Burger (NBC 13)
Aaron Daniel (WJOX)
DJ Big Sweatt (Hot 107.7 & Talk 99.5)
Simone Eli (CBS 42)
Scott Forester (ABC 33/40)
Blake Gardner (SoCon Digital Network)
Nic Gulas (CBS 42)
Brian Pope (The MindSide)
Brad Radice (Samford Communications)
Chris Renkel (CBS 42)
Joey Rogers (CBS 42)
Wes Sinor (Alabama Media Group)
Lauren Sisler (Alabama Media Group)
 
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