The Runnin' Bulldogs added pitchers Samantha Harrell (Elizabeth City, N.C. / Paquotank County HS), Makenzie Struder (Midlothian, Va. / Monocan HS) and Ashley Wark (Bristow, Va. / Patriot HS), along with catcher Rachel Cumiskey (Chesterfield, Va. / Clover Hill HS).

Harrell posted a 1.64 ERA and fanned 134 batters as a prep junior, and enters her senior season with 293 career strikeouts already in two seasons. She also starred for the Dirt Devils 18U Gold club team, and forged a 1.62 ERA with 123 strikeouts last season on the club circuit.

"Samantha is an exceptional pitcher," said Gardner-Webb head coach Tom Cole. "She has had tremendous success in the past and we believe that she will continue to excel at Gardner-Webb. Samantha is quiet and unassuming, but that is very deceptive, because Sam's strength is that she is a competitor. She works hard, she perseveres, and she is driven. Samantha has what it takes, and we are looking forward to having her wear the red and black."

Struder went 9-4 on the mound as a high school junior, posting a sparkling 0.98 ERA with 122 strikeouts and only 19 stalks in 97.1 innings of work. She went 9-0 with a 1.56 ERA this past fall with the Williamsburg Starz 18U club team.

"Makenzie Struder is a talented pitcher who we are very excited about," said Cole. "She is strong, athletic, and used to pitching against the very best competition. Makenzie has worked hard over the past two years and the improvement we have seen is why we are so excited. We expect Makenzie to begin contributing right away."

Wark has been strong on the high school level since her freshman season, when she went 17-5 with a 1.83 ERA and 142 strikeouts. She won 10 games as a junior and overpowered hitters with 172 strikeouts in 126.0 innings of work (1.40 ERA). Wark has 35 career victories entering her senior season at Patriot (Va.) High.

On the club level, Wark won 54 games and fanned 483 batters over four seasons with the SYA Xplosion 18U squad.

"Ashley Wark is an extremely talented pitcher," said Cole "When you look at what she has accomplished over the past four years you will see that she has improved each and every year. She is a hard worker who wants to excel and is willing to do whatever it takes. She is also someone who is used to pitching every inning of every game. We are very excited that Ashley is coming to Gardner-Webb."

Cumisky brings outstanding defensive credentials to Gardner-Webb, but has been a slugger during her prep career so far. She has batted over .400 in each of her high school seasons, batting .452 with 18 RBI as a freshman, .462 with 16 RBI as a sophomore and .426 with 17 RBI as a junior.

With the Williamsburg Starz club team, Cuminsky has driven in 134 runs over three seasons and has not batted below .371 - when she also pounded out four home runs and drive in 55 runs as a freshman.

Rachel Cumiskey is a talented catcher who has all the tools you look for in a catcher," said Cole. "She has a gun for an arm, is softball smart, knows how to handle pitchers, is capable of calling a game, has a big stick, a great attitude, and if there's a play at the plate the runner is going to be out. Rachel has everything it takes to be an impact player."

Gardner-Webb opens its 2014 season at home on Saturday, February 8, with a doubleheader against Conference USA member Charlotte. First pitch is slated for 1:00 pm.