Bulldogs Drop Both Games To Florida Gulf Coast
April 11, 2008 | Softball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb softball team had a lead in each game of the doubleheader, but fell victim to late-inning rallies by Florida Gulf Coast as the visitors pulled of the sweep of the Bulldogs, winning 14-7 and 7-4 in an A-Sun twinbill Friday afternoon.
The Bulldogs fall to 16-26 on the season and 3-11 in A-Sun play while FGCU remains atop the leaderboard at 45-11 overall and 13-1 against conference competition.
After a first-inning run by FGCU, the Bulldogs plated four in their first at bat of the day in game one. With one out, Melody Harrell got things going with a walk and moved to second on Jessi Williams's single to right field. Harrell then scored on Mandy Ward's double to left, knotting the score. Christa Fullwood came through with a huge three-run bomb that she pulled over the right field fence for a 4-1 advantage.
Kelly Linsley led off the second with a solo blast as the Bulldogs looked solid in the early going. However, FGCU's bats came alive, scoring 11 runs in the third and fourth inning to take a 12-5 lead.
GWU tried to get things going in the fourth as Williams belted a two-run homer over the left field fence, pulling the Bulldogs within five at 12-7. The Eagles shut down the Bulldogs the rest of the way as the visitors tacked on two more runs in the seventh inning for the 14-7 final.
Cindy Boomhower took the loss for GWU while Rachel Edinger picked up the win for FGCU.
After giving up a three-run homerun in the top of the first in game two, the Bulldogs gave Christine Murray a one-run lead in the bottom half of the frame.
Williams recorded her second four-bag hit of the day, driving home Linsley and Harrell who had reached base. Two batters later, Fullwood connected for a solo homer to right field for the 4-3 advantage.
After walking Roz Tyre to lead off the second frame, senior Taryn Beck came in to replace Murray and promptly shut down the side.
The score remained 4-3 until the top of the fifth when Desiree Miller launched a two-run homerun for what turned out to be the game-winner. FGCU added two in the sixth to make it 7-4 and the visitors were able to withstand a furious rally by GWU in the sixth.
Lindsay Cox singled to left center field and moved to second on Linsley's groundout. With one out, Harrell singled to short. However, Williams and Ward were unable to bring the duo home as the Eagles got out of the jam. Fullwood doubled to lead off the seventh, but was stranded as the next three got out, ending the contest.
Beck took the loss while Morgan Campen picked up the victory and Dana Frantz earned the save.
The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow as they host Stetson in a
doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Prior to the first game, the
Bulldogs will honor their five seniors in a brief ceremony.
| Box Score Game 1 |
| Box Score Game 2 |
