Gardner-Webb Completes Sweep Of Liberty With 5-3 Victory
April 12, 2014 | Softball
LYNCHBURG, Va. --- Senior Samantha Meenaghan (Atlantic Beach, Fla.) launched her second home run of the weekend, a three-run shot in the fourth inning, to lead Gardner-Webb to a 5-3 come-from-behind victory and a sweep of Liberty in Big South Conference play on Saturday afternoon.
Gardner-Webb (14-29, 4-11 BSC) continued its strong hitting over the weekend, plating five runs on eight hits to run its series total to 24 runs on 31 base knocks, including eight extra-base hits. The Runnin' Bulldogs held Liberty (6-37, 1-17 BSC) to three runs on six hits in the contest en route to their first Big South sweep of the season.
Meenaghan tallied her 23rd multi-hit game of the season, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI to extend her hitting streak to 12 games. Kellie Beres (Greenville, N.C.) added two base knocks of her own, while Megan Champion (Knightdale, N.C.) and Jill Blank (Leola, Pa.) each drove in a run.
Jessica Childers (Jacksonville Beach, Fla.) went the distance for the Runnin' Bulldogs, surrendering two earned runs on six hits and striking out two to earn her eighth win of the season.
Hanna Nichols and Megan Robinson paced the Flames with two hits each, as Nichols drove in two runs. Blair Lawrence scored two of Liberty's three runs on the day. Alyssa DiMatrino pitched the full seven innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and walking three.
Liberty opened the scoring with two runs in the bottom of the first, taking a 2-0 lead on a two-run double by Nichols. The Runnin' Bulldogs responded with one in the second and one in the third, evening the tally at 2-2 on a sacrifice fly by Champion following a leadoff single by Meenaghan.
Gardner-Webb continued to put the pressure on in the fourth, putting runners on first and second with one out following back-to-back singles by Scarlett Harris (Sherrills Ford, N.C.) and Blank. Meenaghan delivered in the clutch two batters later, launching a 1-0 pitch over the wall in right center for a three-run home run and a 5-2 Runnin' Bulldog advantage.
The Flames countered with a run in the fifth, trimming the margin to 5-3 when Lawrence advanced to third on a single by Robinson and scored on a Gardner-Webb throwing error. Liberty threatened again in the sixth, loading the bases on back-to-back singles and a hit-by-pitch with no outs.
Childers and the Runnin' Bulldog defense responded with three straight outs, recording back-to-back force outs at home before a fly to right ended the rally. The senior right-hander followed with a scoreless seventh, pitching around a one-out walk to close out the victory.
Gardner-Webb returns to action on Tuesday, hosting Western Carolina in a non-conference doubleheader at 3:00 pm on Varsity Field.
| Box Score: Gardner-Webb 5, Liberty 3 |
