Bulldogs Take Two From Coastal Carolina; Jessi Williams Sets School Record
April 08, 2008 | Softball
CONWAY, S.C. – The Gardner-Webb seniors are stepping up when they need to, and every one of the five did so as the Bulldogs swept Coastal Carolina Tuesday by scores of 5-3 and 4-3 in a non-conference doubleheader.
GWU improves to 16-24 on the season while Coastal Carolina falls to 16-26.
Senior Jessi Williams belted a solo homerun, which marked the 17th of her career. The four-base hit vaulted her into sole possession of the Division I homerun record at Gardner-Webb, moving past Lindsey Whitfield and Joanna Ward, who each belted 16.
Senior Taryn Beck picked up a save, moving her into a tie with assistant coach Stacie Reichert for the second most in a single season. Kelly Linsley and Haley Scism each drove in a run while fellow fourth-year player Lindsay Cox scored three.
In game one, GWU jumped on the board early thanks in part to sophomore Mandy Ward's team-best seventh homerun of the season. After Williams's single with two outs, Ward connected with a bomb to straightaway center field for a 2-0 lead.
Coastal Carolina came back, evening the score in the bottom half of the frame due to two unearned runs.
The score remained the same until head coach Tom Cole's team struck in the fourth. After the first two batters were unable to get on base, Cox came to the plate. In what should have been an inning-ending play by the shortstop, the ball was muffed, allowing Cox to reach safely. She then took advantage of the situation, swiping second and scoring on Linsley's single.
GWU maintained a 3-2 to lead until the top of the seventh. The bats got going again for the Bulldogs. The catalyst was once again Cox, who reached base via a single this time at bat. Just like the previous time, Cox promptly stole second and moved to third on Linsley's groundout to the pitcher. Two batters later, Cox scored on a wild pitch. She would have scored eventually as Williams blasted an offering over the right field fence, giving GWU a 5-2 advantage.
Beck came in to relieve Cindy Boomhower in the bottom of the seventh. Boomhower allowed eight hits and two runs, neither of which was earned. She also struck out two for the game.
Beck allowed a solo homerun with one out, but was able to slam the door on the home team without any further trouble. She struck out two batters in the frame while forcing the other out into a meek foul ball to the Ward.
Boomhower picked up her second win of the year while Beck notched her third save of the year and fourth of her career.
For the game, Williams was three-for-four with an RBI and two runs scored. Linsley was two-for-four with an RBI while Ward was one-for-three with two RBIs. Cox scored two of the Bulldogs' runs.
Game two saw Coastal Carolina plate a run in the second inning to open the scoring. However, GWU battled back in its next at bat for three runs.
Cox walked and stole second. She then moved to third on Melody Harrell's infield single. After Harrell scampered to second unscathed, Ward was intentionally walked to load the bases. The plan backfired as the Coastal pitching then walked Christa Fullwood, knotting the score while leaving the bases juiced. Everyone moved up 60 feet on a wild pitch, giving the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead. Scism's single up the middle plated Ward for the 3-1 advantage.
With the score at 3-2 in the top of the fifth, Harrell launched a leadoff homerun to left field for what turned out to be the game-winning run. The Bulldogs had a chance to add some insurance in the sixth after Kelsey Witter singled with two outs. She moved to second on Cox's single. The duo each moved up 60 feet on a passed ball, but Linsley was unable to bring them home as she fouled out to end the frame.
Beck, who came in for Christine Murray in the
fourth, proved to be up to the challenge. She allowed a run to come
across on a play unearned due to an error, but forced the next
batter into a groundout to Angie Walls to complete the sweep. Beck
picked up the win.
The Bulldogs will now try and keep the momentum going as they play host to Florida Gulf Coast Friday afternoon. First pitch of the doubleheader is slated for 2 p.m.
| Box Score Game 1 |
| Box Score Game 2 |
