Runnin' Bulldogs Split With PC in Big South Double-Header on Thursday Afternoon
March 24, 2011 | Softball
Clinton, S.C. - The Runnin' Bulldogs bounced back from a 5-0 loss in game one to Presbyterian College to defeat the Blue Hose 3-2 in game two and earn a split in the Big South double-header hosted at the PC Softball Complex in Clinton, S.C.
The split gives GWU a 9-15 overall record and places them at 1-1 in the Big South, while Presbyterian College moves to 16-6-1 overall and 3-1 in conference play.
Game 1: Presbyterian College 5, Gardner-Webb 0
The Runnin' Bulldogs posted five hits, yet left seven runners on base, while the Blue Hose pounded out nine hits and pushed across five runs in a 5-0 win over GWU in game one of the twin bill.
Gardner-Webb put two runners on in the top of the first by way of a Jordyn Arrowood single and a McKenzie Morenus walk, yet failed to take advantage of the opportunity to take an early lead.
After Presbyterian College went down in order in the bottom of the first and Gardner-Webb did the same in the top of the second, the Blue Hose got on the scoreboard first, pushing across three runs on a Jennifer Marshall two-run single through the right side and a GWU throwing error, to take a 3-0 lead after two innings of play.
The Runnin' Bulldogs again put two runners on base safely in the top of the third by way of a Samantha Meenaghan single and a Arrowood walk, yet again failed to score, as PC held on to a 3-0 lead.
Both teams posted hits over the next two innings, however, again it was the Blue Hose that scored, as Krysten Handy blasted a pinch hit two-run home run over the left field fence in the bottom of the sixth to put the home team up 5-0.
GWU senior Kelsey Witter led off the seventh with a walk, which was followed by a pinch hit single to short off the bat off freshman Emily Bowman to put two runners on with no outs. After Melinda Dulkowski grounded into a fielder's choice, Meenaghan lined into a double play to end the game and hand the Runnin' Bulldogs a 5-0 loss to Presbyterian College.
Cindy Boomhower (4-8) was handed the loss, giving up two runs on three hits and three base-on-balls, while striking out two in four innings of work.
PC's Leslie Hensley (10-3) picked up the complete game shutout win, allowing only five hits and three walks, while striking out four in the seven inning contest.
At the plate for GWU, Arrowood was 2-2 with a walk and a stolen base, while Witter was 1-2 with a base-on-balls. Bowman was 1-1, while Meenaghan was 1-4 for the game.
For the Blue Hose, Marshall was 3-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Krysten Handy was 1-1 with a two-run home run.
Game 2: Gardner-Webb 3, Presbyterian College 2
Gardner-Webb got two runs early and used strong defensive play behind freshman hurler Jessica Childers to pick up a 3-2 win over Presbyterian College in game two, earning a split in the Big South double-header.
The Runnin' Bulldogs' offensive trend of leaving runners on base continued in game two, as Gardner-Webb left two runners on base in the top of the second, yet kept the game tied at 0-0 by holding the Blue Hose off the scoreboard as well in the first two innings of play.
The GWU offense finally broke through in the top of the third, as Dulkowski led off the inning with a walk. Meenaghan then singled to left to put runners on first and second with no outs. Arrowood picked up a bunt single to the shortstop to score Dulkowski all the way from second and put the Runnin' Bulldogs on the board at 1-0.
After Meenaghan moved up to third on a Morgan Baker fly out to right field, Arrowood stole second to put two runners in scoring position with only one out. Morenus then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Meenaghan from third, while Arrowood was thrown out at the plate on the play leaving the score at 2-0 in favor of Gardner-Webb.
Gardner-Webb threatened to add to its lead in the top of the fifth, as Dulkowski and Meenaghan posted back-to-back singles. However, a ground out by Arrowood and an out by Dulkowski on the base paths trying to steal ended the inning with the score remaining 2-0 in favor of the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Presbyterian College's offense got a huge lift in the bottom of the fifth, as Morgan Durham led off the inning with a solo shot to center to cut the GWU lead to one at 2-1.
However, the Runnin' Bulldogs got the run back with a single swing, as Baker blasted a solo shot over the center field fence in the top of the sixth to put GWU back in front by two at 3-1. Baker's home run was her third on the season.
Presbyterian College picked up a pinch hit RBI single in the bottom of the seventh off the bat of Rachel Hopper to cut the GWU lead to one at 3-2 with two outs. However, Childers struck out the next PC hitter on three straight pitchers to seal the 3-2 win for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Childers (5-6) picked up the complete game win, allowing only two runs on six hits and one walk, while striking out a career-high 14 batters over seven innings.
The Blue Hose's Brittany Howell (6-3) suffered the loss, giving up three earned runs on seven hits and three walks, while striking out five in seven innings of action.
Offensively, Dulkowski was 2-2 with a base-on-balls and a run scored, while Meenaghan was 3-4 with a run scored. Baker was 1-3 with a solo home run, while both Arrowood and Morenus each had an RBI in the win.
At the plate for PC, Marshall was 2-3, while Durham was 1-3 with a solo home run.
Gardner-Webb (9-15, 1-1 Big South) will return home for the first time since Saturday, February 19th, as the Runnin' Bulldogs will host the Radford Highlanders in a three-game conference series on Saturday, April 2nd and Sunday, April 3rd.
Presbyterian College (16-6-1 , 3-1 Big South) will return to action this weekend, as the Blue Hose will face off with the Akron Zips in a non-conference twin bill on Sunday, March 27, at Rock Hill, S.C.
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| Game 2 Box Score: Gardner-Webb 3, Presbyterian College 2 |
| Game 1 Box Score: Presbyterian College 5, Gardner-Webb 0 |
